The Kroger Co. has named Sukanya Madlinger president of Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division, replacing Geoff Covert, who has been named senior vice president, retail operations for the company.

“Sukanya focuses every day on ways Kroger can best serve our customers and their families,” said Rodney McMullen, president and chief operating officer of Kroger. “Her experience and leadership will have a positive impact on customers and associates in the region.”

Madlinger began her career with Kroger in 1986 in the company’s store management training program.  She has held several leadership roles in the division and was the company’s vice president of drug/general merchandise/pharmacy merchandising.  She has been the vice president of merchandising for the Cincinnati/Dayton Division since 2006.

The Cincinnati/Dayton Division of Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, operates 110 stores in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana and employs more than 20,000 associates.

Kroger operates 2,461 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 784 convenience stores, 375 fine jewelry stores, 954 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S.