Kroger Report April 2022 | Page 7

KROGER the OptUp app . Soon , customers will be able to choose to be alerted when a certain food will negatively interact with a medication or how they can substitute better-for-you options for items in their digital carts .
None of these bets – big or small – would be possible without the team at Kroger Labs exploring cutting-edge technologies that create a seamless customer and associate experience . Rhodes ’ s approach to his work , collaboration ecosystem and commitment to diverse thinking creates a unique space that is ripe for uncovering what ’ s next .
Building a high-impact ecosystem Alongside his strong team of associates , Rhodes leverages third-party collaborators to accelerate the work of Kroger Labs to the next level .
“ That collaboration ecosystem is some of the secret sauce impacting how Kroger Labs works ,” says Rhodes . “ We look for partners that can seamlessly integrate in what we do , trusting them to bring the right kind of skills , to jump in and contribute to what we ' re trying to do . In this respect , Fusion Alliance here in Cincinnati has been an integral partner , complementing our staff , processes and methods .”
Dan Whitacre ’ s role as Senior Director of Kroger Labs and Technology means he is always looking for new opportunities to connect the labs with unique thinkers around the world .
“ Building a network of collaborators brings in people we can trust who have different experiences and expertise to our discussion ,” explains Whitacre .
“ For example , Deloitte has worked across multiple parts of Kroger , and they bring those insights with them into the labs , helping us build a framework for innovation . We ' ve worked with them to better connect with

EXECUTIVE BIO

WESLEY RHODES
TITLE : VICE PRESIDENT OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION AND R & D
INDUSTRY : RETAIL LOCATION : USA
Wesley Rhodes is Kroger ’ s VP of Technology Transformation and Research & Development . Wesley is responsible for providing new innovations to transform the customer ’ s journey and the associate ’ s interactions into one cohesive experience throughout all Kroger ’ s digital and physical properties . Previously , Wesley spent 18 years with IBM where he served in numerous capacities including as the Chief Technologist in Artificial Intelligence and Cloud computing , CTO for Corporate Strategy , and Deputy CTO for US and NATO National Security and Defense . Wesley holds numerous academic appointments , is a former Prince of Wales Fellow at MIT and has graduate degrees from four prominent Universities .