Kroger wishes retiring Fred Meyer president well, names successor

Photo: Jeff Burt

Kroger announced Tuesday the retirement of Fred Meyer president Lynn Gust effective Jan. 31, and the promotion of Jeff Burt to succeed him. Burt currently serves as president of Kroger's Central division.



Fred Meyer Stores, based in Portland, Ore., offers one-stop shopping at 132 multi-department stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.



"Throughout his distinguished career, Lynn as always led by empowering, encouraging and supporting others," stated Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO. "Lynn is widely respected throughout our company and industry for his passion for people, the food business and the communities we serve. The entire Kroger family wishes Lynn and his family all the best in retirement."



Gust started his career with Kroger in 1970 as a parcel clerk at Fred Meyer's Fourth Plain store in Vancouver, Wash. In 1972, he entered Fred Meyer's food management program and advanced to serve in a variety of leadership roles in the division, including food department manager, training coordinator, grocery buyer and director of grocery sales and merchandising. He also attended the Cornell Food Executive Program in 1994. After serving as group VP for the food group, he was named senior VP of the store operations group in 2003. Gust was named executive VP of corporate merchandising and advertising in 2006, followed by VP operations in 2011. He was promoted to president of Fred Meyer in 2012.



Under his leadership, Fred Meyer reached $10 billion in annual sales for the first time. Also under his leadership, Fred Meyer was recognized twice as one of Oregon's "Best Places to Work" by the Portland Business Journal, and twice as one of Oregon's "Healthiest Places to Work" by The Oregonian.



Following his retirement, Gust and his wife, Julie, will continue to be active in many community organizations in Portland and beyond, including serving on the board of trustees for Randall Children's Hospital.



Burt, who will succeed Gust, is currently president of Kroger's Central Division, which operates food stores primarily in Indiana and Illinois. His successor will be named at a later date.



"Jeff is a strong, dynamic leader who brings out the best in our associates," McMullen said. "His enthusiasm for serving our customers combined with both broad and deep experience in our business – including in the Pacific Northwest – will serve our Fred Meyer team well. We are grateful he agreed to take on this important role."



Burt began his career with Kroger in 1986 as a management trainee. He has held a variety of leadership positions with the company in Cincinnati, Florida, Indianapolis and Seattle, including store manager, produce merchandiser and VP merchandising and operations. In 2004, he was named corporate VP of deli/bakery merchandising and procurement, before being promoted to group VP of perishables merchandising and procurement in 2010. He has served as president of Kroger's Central division since 2013.