
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 14, 1995                   TAG: 9506140074
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

KROGER MAKES CORPORATE PROMOTIONS

James Thorne, president of Kroger's Roanoke-based Mid-Atlantic Marketing Area, has been named a corporate senior vice president, the company said.

Thorne's was one of five corporate promotions announced Tuesday by Joseph A. Pichler, chairman and chief executive officer of the Cincinnati-based supermarket chain.

In his new position, Thorne will direct six divisions - based in Roanoke, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Memphis and Detroit - which represent 580 stores. The Roanoke division has 120 supermarkets in six states.

Thorne, 48, has been with Kroger since 1966. Prior to coming to Roanoke, he worked in the corporate headquarters as director of a research and development project for a new store concept.

Thorne will be replaced in Roanoke by David G. Osborne, who has been vice president of operations at Kroger's Columbus, Ohio, marketing area. Osborne, a native of Hannibal, Mo., has been with Kroger since 1960.

A Kroger spokesperson said Thorne plans to continue his residence in the Roanoke Valley for a year so a daughter can complete high school, meaning he will commute to the company's headquarters.

The promotions, which become official Monday, include the elevation of David B. Dillon to president and chief operating officer. Dillon has been executive vice president of Kroger and chief executive officer of Dillon Cos. Inc., a subsidiary of Kroger with stores in the Midwest. He succeeds Richard L. Bere, who will retire.

by CNB