J.S. Dillon, Dillon's great-grandfather, a Presbyterian pastor, started a self-service grocery store in Sterling, Kansas. His sons, including David's grandfather, continued growing the enterprise into a chain of stores. David's father, Paul, along with two cousins, guided the corporation in the next generation when Dillon Stores became a public corporation. It was headquartered in Hutchinson, 20 miles from Sterling.
Dillon worked for Dillons Stores with various leadership roles in the company. In 1982, Kroger bought out Dillon Stores.[2]
In 1990, Dillon was named the Vice President of Kroger. In 2003, Dillon became the CEO of Kroger.[3]
Dillon succeeded its previous CEO Joe Pichler.
It was announced on September 20, 2013 that Dillon would be retiring as CEO of Kroger effective January 1, 2014. Dillon was succeeded as CEO by Rodney McMullen, a COO of Kroger. Dillon remained on as Chairman of the Board through the end of 2014.