Kroger's CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned following a Board of Directors investigation into personal conduct that violated the company's ethics policy. The investigation, which began after concerns were raised on February 21, revealed that the issues were not related to Kroger's business operations, financial performance, or any associates. In the wake of this unexpected leadership change, Ronald "Ron" Sargent has been appointed as interim CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors. With 35 years of experience at Kroger, including serving as lead director since 2017, Sargent is well-positioned to guide the company during this transitional period. He emphasized his dedication to working closely with Kroger's management team to ensure continued value for customers.

The board has formed a search committee to find a permanent replacement for McMullen. Mark Sutton will assist Sargent as the newly appointed lead independent director. This leadership change highlights Kroger's commitment to upholding its business ethics and maintaining its strong market position.