NATION

Sperry Corp., New York, elected Joseph J. Kroger president and chief operating officer, filling a post that had been vacant for two years.

Kroger, a Sperry employee for 25 years, will direct the worldwide operations of the $5.7-billion electronic systems company and report to Gerald G. Probst, chairman and chief executive.

The position of president and chief operating officer had remained unfilled since 1982, when Probst was elevated to chairman.