“When our decision-making is inclusive and reflects the diversity of our customers, we make better decisions,” says Kroger CEO.
The Kroger Co. announced today that Reuben Shaffer has been appointed Chief Diversity Officer, effective 
immediately.
Shaffer now reports to Kroger’s Chairman and CEO David Dillon. Shaffer, 60, has been serving as the vice president of retail operations for the Cincinnati/Dayton division. He began his career with Kroger in 1988 and has held various leadership positions in the organization.
“Diversity is a core value at Kroger,” said Dillon. “We take our commitment to diversity seriously, both because it is right and because it makes us better at our business. When our decision-making is inclusive and reflects the diversity of our customers, we make better decisions. We look forward to Reuben applying his broad experience and deep understanding of Kroger values in this important area.”
Shaffer also now oversees Kroger’s comprehensive diversity initiatives, including supplier diversity and integrating the company’s ongoing commitment to create an inclusive culture into key business and organization initiatives.
Kroger has been a leader in the use of minority and women-owned business enterprises in all aspects of its business for more than 30 years. Kroger currently spends more than $1 billion with nearly 1,000 minority and women-owned companies.
Shaffer is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and is involved in a number of organizations in the local community, including the Cincinnati Association of the Blind and Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation.
