EXECUTIVE CHANGES 1999-04-26 (1)

Kroger Taps Vice Presidents

ger Co. here said it has named W. Rodney McMullen executive vice president and chief financial officer and Geoffrey J. Covert senior vice president for manufacturing.

McMullen, 38, formerly senior vice president and CFO, joined Kroger in 1978 as a part-time clerk in Lexington, Ky. He became an accounting trainee in 1982, was named vice president of planning and capital management in 1990; vice president for control and financial services in 1993; and group vice president and chief financial officer in 1995. He was named senior vice president and CFO in 1997.

Covert, 48, formerly group vice president and president of Kroger Manufacturing since 1998, joined the company in 1996 as vice president of the grocery products group, after 22 years with Procter & Gamble here.

McMullen continues to report to Joseph A. Pichler, chairman and chief executive officer, and Covert continue to report to David B. Dillon, president and chief operating officer.

Supervalu Names Senior VP

MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu here said it has named J. Andrew Herring senior vice president for corporate development and external relations, a new position.

His former title was vice president for corporate development and external relations, a position he held since joining Supervalu in 1998 after specializing in the field of mergers and acquisitions at various law firms.

Herring continues to report to Mike Wright, chairman and chief executive officer of Supervalu.