Former Disney executive joins Kroger board

Kroger is adding a veteran of the consumer products industry to its board of directors.



The company announced that Anne Gates has been elected to the board. Gates is president of MGA Entertainment, Inc., a privately-held developer, manufacturer and marketer of toy and entertainment products for children. Prior to her current role, she held roles of increasing responsibility with the Walt Disney Company from 1992 – 2012. Her roles included executive vice president, managing director, and chief financial officer for Disney Consumer Products and senior vice president of operations, planning and analysis. Prior to joining Disney, Gates worked for PepsiCo and Bear Stearns.



"We are delighted to welcome Anne to Kroger," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and chief executive officer. "Anne's broad expertise in consumer products and strategy will be a tremendous asset to Kroger's Board and our shareholders."



Gates is chairwoman of Big Sunday and a member of the Boards of Columbia University School of Engineering, Cadre and PBS SoCal (KOCE-TV Foundation). She received a master's degree from Columbia University School of Engineering and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of California-Berkeley.



Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,620 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states.