CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger is welcoming new talent to its Tennessee team, as Sonya Hostetler joins the retailer’s ranks as President of the Nashville division, which includes 91 stores across Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southern Kentucky. Hostetler will be taking over for Zane Day, who had announced his retirement after nearly 45 years of service.

"We're pleased to welcome Sonya to the Kroger Family of Companies," said Mike Donnelly, Kroger's Executive Vice President and COO. "Sonya is a well-respected leader in the retail industry who's innovative and strategic. She will help us to continue to redefine the grocery customer experience and develop talent, accelerating our Restock Kroger vision in the Nashville market."

Hostetler brings serious retail creds to the table, having spent the last 30 years with Walmart, where she worked her way up from an hourly associate to holding key leadership positions in retail, asset protection, human resources, and operations. Her most recent role with the company was as Vice President, Regional General Manager based in Dallas, Texas, where she oversaw 13 markets, 122 stores, and 45,000 associates, according to a press release. Hostetler has also proved herself to be an influential leader during her career in the positions of Corporate Vice President of Asset Protection and Safety; Vice President, Regional General Manager in Bentonville, AR; Senior Director; Divisional Loss Prevention; Senior People Director, Health and Wellness Human Resources; and Store Manager.

Demonstrating her deep roots in the industry and passion for giving back, Hostetler has also served on the boards for the Arkansas Rice Depot, a local food bank, and North Texas Food Bank, along with volunteering with the Children's Miracle Network, Race for the Cure, and American Heart Association.

Congratulations to Sonya on her new position!

Kroger