CINCINNATI — Kroger Co.’s Atlanta division president Bruce Lucia has announced his plans to retire, and the company has promoted Tim Brown, currently Cincinnati/Dayton division president, to succeed him.

Additionally, Michigan division president Scott Hays has been promoted to president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division.

Lucia, after 44 years of service, will step down September 1.

“In his more than 40 years with Kroger, Bruce has earned the admiration and respect of his teammates by forging real, genuine connections with associates and customers,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Bruce has been a tremendous mentor to countless associates throughout our business. He will leave a legacy of strong, hard-working teams who care about each other.”

Lucia began his career with Kroger in Atlanta in 1974 as a clerk. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he served as store manager, field specialist and district management in the Atlanta division. From 1987 to 1996, he went on to hold leadership roles in Kroger’s Nashville, Central, Columbus and Michigan divisions, before being named Michigan division president in 1996. A year later, he was appointed president of the Columbus division. Lucia returned to Atlanta in his current role in 2000.

Meanwhile, Brown takes on his new role on August 1.

“Tim is passionate about our customers, our associates and our community and dedicated to our purpose, To Feed the Human Spirit,” said McMullen. “His leadership in supporting Restock Kroger will continue to drive business results in our Atlanta Division and help us achieve our vision to serve America through food inspiration and uplift.”

Brown started his career with Kroger as a bagger at the age of 17. In 1981, he joined the company’s management training program, and he has since served in leadership positions in nine of Kroger’s retail divisions. He was promoted to vice president of meat, seafood and deli/bakery operations in general office before being promoted to vice president of merchandising in both the Columbus and Atlanta divisions. In 2010, he was named vice president of operations for the Mid-Atlantic division before being promoted to president of the Delta division in 2012. Brown was named president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division in 2015.

Hays, whose successor will be announced at a later date, joined Kroger in April 2017 as vice president of operations for the Fry’s division. He was promoted to his current role in September of the same year.

“In just a short time with the company, Scott has already made a lasting impact,” said McMullen. “Scott’s passion for people and wealth of grocery and retail experience make him an ideal leader for Kroger as we work to redefine the customer experience. We look forward to Scott’s leadership of Restock Kroger in our Cincinnati/Dayton division.”

Hays joined Kroger with an accumulation of food retail experience. He began his grocery career with Albertson’s in 1983 as a grocery clerk in Provo, Utah. He was promoted to store director and then held positions of increasing responsibility, including district manager, area vice president and division vice president for the company’s San Antonio division. He played an integral role in the development of the Texas and Louisiana markets for Albertson’s. He also served as the vice president of operations for Jewel Osco in the Chicagoland market and division president for Albertson’s Dallas-Fort Worth market before joining Kroger.