Diversity & Inclusion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kroger's mid-south division president John Hackett is retiring, after 50 years of service with the company. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, while working his way through college at The Ohio State University.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has made a $250,000 cash donation to the American Red Cross, toward tornado relief efforts in Moore, Okla., and the surrounding area. The American Red Cross is delivering emergency supplies and services to the tornado-impacted areas.

SAN ANTONIO — This Memorial Day weekend, Walmart and Sam's Club will launch the company's initiative to hire 100,000 veterans throughout the next five years.  

The event will take place Saturday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart supercenter located at 8923 W. Military Rd. Lunch and giveaways will be provided by Walmart and Sam's Club suppliers, including Johnsonville's World's Largest Grill. The event is part of the continuing Saluting Heroes Together campaign, which Walmart launched May 18 with Operation Homefront. 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced that Dan Bartlett will become the company's new executive VP of corporate affairs in late June.  Bartlett, 41, most recently served as president and CEO of the U. S. arm of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a global business advisory firm serving corporations, non-profits and associations in 52 countries.

Denver -- A federal judge in Denver is considering an injunction after ruling that nearly 250 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, including its namesake and Hollister banners, are unfriendly to the disabled, the Associated Press reported.

The judge agreed in March with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition that the stores limited access for wheelchair-bound customers.  He said the only option under the Americans With Disabilities Act is an injunction ordering the problems to be fixed, the report said.

LAS VEGAS — The International Council of Shopping Centers has elected David J. LaRue, president and CEO of Forest City Enterprises, to serve as the association’s chairman for the 2013–2014 term. LaRue assumed his role as chairman at RECon, ICSC’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. 

LaRue is the association’s 54th chairman, succeeding Brad Hutensky, president and principal of Hutensky Capital Partners.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced the election of former Blue Shield of California president, chairman and CEO Bruce Bodaken to its board of directors. 

SAN DIEGO — Walmart, Sam’s Club and Operation Homefront kicked off their nationwide series Saluting Heroes Together with a community-wide military appreciation event in San Diego on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18. 

The event was the first in a series of tributes the organizations are hosting across the country to honor men and women who have or are currently serving, as well as their families.