You’ve probably seen the signs or heard the chatter if you've walked into a Kroger anywhere between the Ohio River and the Dayton suburbs lately. Big shifts are happening. It isn’t just about the price of eggs or whether the digital coupons are loading on your app. It's about who is steering the ship at the "home division" of the country’s biggest grocery chain.
The Kroger Cincinnati-Dayton division president change is officially old news by now, but the ripple effects are just starting to show up in your local aisles. In late 2025, the company shook things up in a big way. Ann Reed, who had been running the show in this neck of the woods since 2022, got the call to move up to the General Office.
✨ Don't miss: Canadian to US Exchange Rate by Date: What Really Drives the Loonie
She's now the Group Vice President of Our Brands. That’s basically the team that decides what goes into those Private Selection and Simple Truth packages we all buy. Honestly, it’s a massive promotion, but it left a "who’s next?" vacuum in the region that serves over 100 stores.
Meet the New Boss: Jake Cannon
The guy they picked to replace her isn't exactly a stranger to the area. Jake Cannon took the reins as the Cincinnati-Dayton division president in August 2025. He moved over from the Louisville division, where he had been president since 2022.
If you like "started from the bottom" stories, Cannon is a textbook example. He started at Kroger back in 1999. His first job? A produce clerk in the Smith’s division. He spent over two decades climbing every rung of the retail ladder.
Interestingly, he actually spent a good chunk of his career right here in the Cincinnati-Dayton division before he ever went to Louisville. He was the Director of Operations and then the Vice President of Operations for this specific region. He knows these stores. He knows why the West Chester locations feel different from the ones in Kettering or downtown Cincinnati.
Ron Sargent, who has been leading the company as Chairman and CEO, pointed out that Cannon "understands the Cincinnati-Dayton division that Kroger calls home." That "home" part is key. When you're headquartered in Cincinnati, this division is the one the big execs shop at. It’s the testing ground. If a new sushi bar or a high-tech checkout system fails here, it’s probably not going nationwide.
Why this change matters for your grocery bill
Most people don't care who the president of a division is as long as the milk is cold and the lines are short. I get it. But these leadership swaps usually signal a shift in "Freshness & Standards." That's actually a title Cannon used to hold at the corporate level.
When a "merchandiser" like Cannon takes over, you usually see a bigger push on the visual side of the store. More "wow" displays in produce. Better localized offerings. He’s known for being a "stores-first" leader, which in corporate speak means he spends more time walking the aisles with managers than sitting in a glass office in Blue Ash.
The Reed Legacy and the "Our Brands" Push
Ann Reed didn't just leave because a spot opened up. Kroger is currently obsessed with its private labels. They call them "Our Brands," and they are the secret weapon against inflation. By moving Reed—who has a deep background in deli, bakery, and fresh meals—into the corporate role, Kroger is signaling that they want their store-brand food to taste less like "generic" and more like a premium alternative.
Reed’s tenure in Cincinnati was marked by a heavy focus on the "Customer 1st" promise. She had to navigate the post-pandemic supply chain mess and the initial integration of more digital-heavy shopping. She’s now applying those "on-the-ground" insights to the products that end up in every Kroger store across the country.
The 2026 Leadership Landscape
Fast forward to right now in early 2026, and the executive shuffle has continued. Just this January, Kroger announced even more moves. Victor Smith, who was leading the Atlanta division, got bumped up to Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions.
- Monica Garnes moved from the Fry’s division to Atlanta.
- Ken DeLuca moved from Michigan to Fry's.
- Kendra Doyel took over the Ralphs division.
Why does the 2025 Cincinnati change matter in this 2026 context? Because Jake Cannon stayed put. While other divisions are seeing fresh faces this month, Cannon is now fully settled into the Cincinnati-Dayton role. He’s the stable hand while the rest of the country’s leadership structure is in flux.
What to expect in Cincinnati and Dayton stores
If you shop at these stores, you’re likely going to see a few specific trends under the current leadership.
👉 See also: Why Abercrombie & Fitch Still Matters: The Messy Truth Behind White Hot
First, expect a doubling down on "Fresh." Cannon’s background in produce isn't just a fun fact; it's a philosophy. Kroger has been trying to beat companies like Whole Foods at their own game by shortening the time it takes for a head of lettuce to get from a farm to the shelf in Troy or Hamilton.
Second, watch the "Prepared Foods" section. With Josh Harpole (the former VP of Deli/Bakery) moving up to take Cannon's old spot in Louisville, there is a company-wide synergy happening between the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Louisville regions. They are sharing "best practices" more than ever. If a new grab-and-go meal works in Louisville, Cannon is likely to fast-track it into the Cincinnati-Dayton stores.
Practical insights for the savvy shopper
Look, a leadership change is a great time to be a vocal customer. New presidents usually have "listening tours."
- Check the feedback loops. Use the "Great People, Great Food" surveys on the bottom of your receipt. These actually get read, especially during a leadership transition when the new president is trying to prove they have a pulse on the community.
- Watch the "Home" brands. Since Ann Reed is now the boss of "Our Brands," keep an eye on the Kroger-label products. You’ll likely see a refresh in packaging and quality as she tries to leave her mark.
- Localize your complaints. If your local store in Beavercreek or Fairfield is slipping, don't just tweet at the main Kroger account. Mention the division. Leadership like Cannon’s team is specifically tasked with regional excellence.
The Kroger Cincinnati-Dayton division president change wasn't just a game of musical chairs. It was a strategic move to put a local veteran back in charge of the company’s most important backyard. Whether that results in shorter lines at the deli or better prices on the shelf remains the big question for 2026.
For now, keep an eye on the produce section. If the berries look better and the "Simple Truth" selection is growing, you’re seeing the Jake Cannon and Ann Reed effect in real-time.
📖 Related: Current USD to IQD exchange rate: Why the gap won't go away
Next Steps for You:
If you want to stay ahead of these changes, the best thing to do is download the Kroger app and ensure your "Home Store" is correctly set. This is where regional leadership pushes the most aggressive digital-only deals and "Manager's Specials" that are specific to the Cincinnati-Dayton division's current inventory strategy.