Ron Sargent

Ronald L. "Ron" Sargent (born 1955) is an American businessman who has served as chairman of Kroger since March 2025. He previously served as interim CEO from March 2025 to February 2026. He was previously the chairman and CEO of Staples, Inc. until September 2016, when he was succeeded by Shira Goodman.

Education In 1977, Sargent earned a BA from Harvard University. In 1979, Sargent earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Sargent joined Staples in 1989. In 1991, Sargent become head of the Staples catalog division, and in 1997 he became head of North American operations. In 2002, Sargent became the CEO of Staples.

On May 31, 2016, Ron Sargent announced that he would step down as CEO of Staples after the company's annual shareholder meeting on June 14, 2016. The company's board of directors and Sargent mutually agreed that it was time for new management to step in to help Staples grow after Staples and Office Depot called off their $6 billion merger amid regulatory roadblocks. Sargent would remain a director and non-executive chairman through the end of the company's fiscal year in January 2017.

On March 3, 2025, Sargent was named interim CEO of Kroger, after the resignation of Rodney McMullen. He served until February 2026, when the company appointed Greg Foran to the position.