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Over thirty-five years have passed since Robert (Bob) Moeder received his associate's degree in computer science from K-State at Salina (then Kansas Technical Institute). In that time, he has risen to the executive level in a Fortune 500 company, currently serving as President of the Kroger Central Division. Since 2006, Moeder has been responsible for the executive management of 154 food stores, 129 pharmacies and 46 fuel centers in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and Ohio. Moeder began his career with the Dillons Company in 1971, working part-time for Calhoun's clothing division while attending KTI. He accepted an Assistant Store Manager position in 1972, and held various marketing and operational positions until he was eventually named President of Calhoun's in 1984. In 1985, Moeder transferred to Kwik Shop, Inc., a convenience store division of the Dillons Company, as Assistant Director of Operations. After two internal promotions, he became Executive Vice President of Kwik Shop in 1991, and in 1995 was promoted to Vice President of Convenience Stores and Turkey Hill Dairy. As part of a 1999 Kroger restructuring, Moeder was named Corporate Vice President of Convenience Stores, Supermarket Petroleum, and Turkey Hill Dairy. Moeder was responsible for five convenience-store divisions with approximately 800 stores across the United States and a dairy that was Kroger's only branded manufacturing facility. Additionally, Moeder was instrumental in building the strategic Supermarket Petroleum Fuel Model now being implemented by Kroger across the country. This strategy has led to more than 700 fuel facilities and continuing strong growth, which Moeder sees as the greatest success of his career. Moeder was asked to return to campus in February as the 2008 College of Technology and Aviation Alumni Fellow. He was honored in events in both Manhattan and Salina. He also addressed several classes, making quite an impression on students, faculty, and staff. Moeder noted that campus had changed a lot since his KT I days. "Since I graduated, the entire campus has changed in a very positive way. I was extremely impressed with the buildings, the school leadership and educators." Moeder says his favorite memories of his time at KTI include his first year spent in the dorms, some of the many pranks played during the year, and friends he made. One friend in particular stands out in Moeder's mind-- Jeff Glover, who later died suddenly at age 38. "If it wouldn't have been for Jeff's tutoring, I am not sure I would have made it through differential equations," said Moeder. Moeder and Marsha, his wife of nearly 35 years, reside in Carmel, Indiana. They have one son, Christopher, who graduated from the University of Kansas and is currently doing breast cancer research at Yale University. Prior to moving to Indiana, Moeder and his family lived in Hutchinson, where he was very active in community. He participated in Leadership Hutchinson in 1990, Leadership Kansas in 1993, served on numerous boards, and, with his wife, co-chaired a $1.8 million building project for their church in Hutchinson. Moeder is also very active in his new Indiana community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Gleaners Food Bank and is the chairman of the Operations Committee. Gleaners Food Bank is the largest food bank in Indiana, and is a member of the America's Second Harvest national network. Moeder also serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), which brings senior executives together to identify and resolve critical challenges facing the region's economy, workforce and communities. "Bob has accomplished much since he graduated from KTI," said Dean Dennis Kuhlman. "He exemplifies success and is an inspiring example to current students." View the 2007 Alumni Fellow Profile |
