Kroger Names Adelman Group VP of Corporate Affairs

The Kroger Co. has named Jessica Adelman as its group vice president of corporate affairs, effective Nov. 1.  

"Jessica brings a wealth of public affairs leadership experience and deep knowledge of the food supply chain," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "We look forward to welcoming her to our senior leadership team."

Adelman will succeed Lynn Marmer, who is retiring in early 2016. As group VP of corporate affairs, Adelman will focus on reputation management, including external communications and brand public relations; media; government and regulatory affairs; corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability; community relations; crisis management; cause-marketing and corporate philanthropy.

Adelman has 20 years of experience as a public affairs executive in the food industry, most recently as senior VP of corporate affairs for Syngenta North America, a leading agriculture company, since 2008. Adelman has also held several strategic leadership roles with other companies, including director of Cargill Government Solutions.

A cum laude Russian studies graduate of Dartmouth College who lived in the former Soviet Union for several years in the 1990s, Adelman holds an MBA from The Wharton School and an MA in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an executive certificate in trade policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Kroger operates 2,626 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.