Kroger CEO Resigns Over ‘Personal Conduct’ After Board Probe (4)

Kroger Co. replaced Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen following an investigation into his personal conduct, casting a shadow on the supermarket operator’s path forward following a failed deal and a string of management departures under the longtime leader.

Lead director Ron Sargent, 69, was named chairman and interim CEO of Kroger effective immediately, and the Cincinnati-based company saidit has initiated a search for a permanent replacement. Sargent has been a director since 2006 and formerly served as CEO of Staples Inc.

Rodney McMullen served as Kroger’s chief executive officer for more than a decade.

Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg

The company said McMullen’s conduct was unrelated to the company’s financial performance and didn’t involve Kroger ...