62-year-old David B. Dillon, a 37-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as Chief Executive Officer since 2003, will retire as CEO on January 1, 2014. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board through December 31, 2014.
53-year-old W. Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s President and Chief Operating Officer, will become CEO on January 1. McMullen joined Kroger in 1978 on a part-time basis on a stock crew and has been President and Chief Operating Officer since 2009 and a Director since 2003. He previously held a variety of senior management positions including Vice Chairman; Executive Vice President of Strategy, Planning, and Finance; and Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. McMullen’s successor will be named at a later date.