Kroger appoints 3 division chiefs

        Kroger Co. has appointed three new divisional presidents.

        The Cincinnati-based company promoted Sam Duncan to president of Fred Meyer Stores, the 126-store chain based in Portland, Ore. John Burgon has been promoted to president of Ralphs, which operates 345 stores in southern California. And Russell Dispense is the new president of King Soopers, a Denver-based chain that operates 84 stores.

        All three units were acquired in Kroger's $13.5 billion acquisition of Fred Meyer Inc. in May 1999.
       

Cintas lowers earnings expectations

        The slowing economy prompted Cintas Corp., the Mason uniform supplier, to lower its earnings and sales expectations for the fiscal year ending May 31.

        The company said late Tuesday it expects diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.30 to $1.32, compared with the previously announced $1.33 to $1.35 a share. Revenues are expected in the range of $2.15 billion to $2.18 billion, down from the previous estimate of $2.17 billion to $2.2 billion.

        “We continue to anticipate full-year sales growth in a range of 13 to 15 percent, with estimated earnings per share growth between 14 and 16 percent,” said Robert J. Kohlhepp, Cintas' CEO.

Hillenbrand has new vice president

        Scott K. Sorensen, formerly executive vice presi dent and chief financial officer of Pliant Corp. in Salt Lake City, has been named vice president and CFO at Hillenbrand Industries Inc. in Batesville, Ind.

        Mr. Sorensen, 39, succeeds Donald G. Barger Jr., who resigned as Hillenbrand's CFO in November to become CFO at Yellow Corp. in Overland Park, Kan.
       

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