CINCINNATI — Mark Tuffin has been promoted to president of Kroger Co.’s Smith’s division. He had been vice president of transition for Kroger since 2009. He succeeds Jim Hallsey, who retired after 47 years with Smith’s and Kroger.

Mark Tuffin has been promoted to president of Kroger Co.’s Smith’s division. He had been vice president of transition for Kroger since 2009. He succeeds Jim Hallsey, who retired after 47 years with Smith’s and Kroger.

Tuffin, a 30-year-plus veteran of the grocery industry, joined Smith’s in 1996 and held several leadership roles before being promoted to vice president of merchandising in 1999.

As vice president of transition, he led Kroger’s efforts to implement organizational changes among all areas of the business.

Hallsey had been president of Smith’s since 2001, after serving as executive vice president of sales and marketing.