Kroger 2015 Annual Report Download - page 14

12
Robert D. Beyer,
Lead Director
Age 56
Director Since 1999
Committees:
Corporate Governance
Financial Policy
Mr. Beyer is Chairman of Chaparal Investments LLC, a private investment firm
and holding company that he founded in 2009. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Beyer
served as Chief Executive Officer of The TCW Group, Inc., a global investment
management firm. From 2000 to 2005, he served as President and Chief
Investment Officer of Trust Company of the West, the principal operating
subsidiary of TCW. Mr. Beyer is a member of the Board of Directors of The
Allstate Corporation and Leucadia National Corporation. Mr. Beyer has decided
not to seek re-election to Allstate’s board of directors at its annual meeting in
May 2016, after ten years of service on its board.
Mr. Beyer brings to Kroger his experience as CEO of TCW, a global investment
management firm serving many of the largest institutional investors in the
U.S. He has exceptional insight into Kroger’s financial strategy, and his
experience qualifies him to serve as a member of the Board. While at TCW, he
also conceived and developed the firm’s risk management infrastructure, an
experience that is useful to Kroger’s Board in performing its risk management
oversight functions. His abilities and service as a director were recognized by
his peers, who selected Mr. Beyer as an Outstanding Director in 2008 as part of
the Outstanding Directors Program of the Financial Times. His strong insights
into corporate governance form the foundation of his leadership role as Lead
Director on the Board.
Anne Gates
Age 56
Director Since 2015
Committees:
Audit
Public Responsibilities
Ms. Gates is President of MGA Entertainment, Inc., a privately-held developer,
manufacturer and marketer of toy and entertainment products for children,
a position she has held since 2014. Ms. Gates held roles of increasing
responsibility with The Walt Disney Company from 1992-2012. Her roles
included executive vice president, managing director and chief financial officer
for Disney Consumer Products and senior vice president of operations, planning
and analysis. Prior to joining Disney, Ms. Gates worked for PepsiCo and Bear
Stearns.
Ms. Gates has over 15 years of experience in the retail and consumer products
industry. She brings to Kroger financial expertise gained while serving as
President of MGA and CFO of a division of the Walt Disney Company. Ms.
Gates has a broad business background in marketing, strategy and business
development, including international business. Her expertise in toy and
entertainment products is of particular value to the Board. Ms. Gates has been
designated an Audit Committee financial expert.
Susan J. Kropf
Age 67
Director Since 2007
Committees:
Audit
Financial Policy
Ms. Kropf was President and Chief Operating Officer of Avon Products Inc.,
a manufacturer and marketer of beauty care products, from 2001 until her
retirement in January 2007. She joined Avon in 1970 and, during her tenure at
Avon, Ms. Kropf also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Avon North America and Global Business Operations from 1998 to
2000 and President, Avon U.S. from 1997 to 1998. Ms. Kropf was a member of
Avon’s Board of Directors from 1998 to 2006. She currently is a director of Avon
Products Inc., Coach, Inc., and Sherwin Williams Company. In the past five
years she also served as a director of MeadWestvaco Corporation.
Ms. Kropf has unique and valuable consumer insight, having led a major,
publicly-traded retailer of beauty and related consumer products. She has
extensive experience in manufacturing, marketing, supply chain operations,
customer service, and product development, all of which assist her in her role
as a member of Kroger’s Board. Ms. Kropf has a strong financial background,
and has significant boardroom experience through her service on the boards
of various public companies, including experience serving on compensation,
audit, and corporate governance committees. She was inducted into the YWCA
Academy of Women Achievers.