<p> “With Rodney (McMullen) as CEO, if you like what you’ve seen the last few years, <I>you ain’t seen nothin’ yet</i>,” Kroger CEO David Dillon told a group of Cincinnati financial analysts during a monthly CFA Society luncheon at the Queen City Club.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> During an interview with Cincinnati Business Courier, Dillon believed that McMullen will offer a fresh perspective on Kroger’s operational outlook. “He gives us new energy. It’s a good time for the organization to re-energize itself. I think Rodney was ready. And change is often good,” said Dillon.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In late September, Kroger announced that McMullen will succeed Dillon as part of the company's Board of Directors’ long-term CEO succession plan. Dillon, who has been serving as CEO since 2003, will retire on January 1, 2014. McMullen has been President and COO of Kroger since 2009 and a director since 2003. “I like to raise the bar, especially with him,” Dillon continued.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Dillon also shared his thoughts on the legacy he’ll be leaving behind at Kroger. “I view it as being part of a team that led us through one of the many transitions the company has gone through. I’ve often said food retailing is a team sport, and I’m part of the team.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> As Kroger’s sales growth streak continues, it appears that Dillon is confident that McMullen will continue pushing the company to the top with its Customer 1st strategy.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more comments and opinions.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/11/07/krogers-dillon-on-succession-you.html?page=all" target="_new"> Cincinnati Business Courier </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://ir.kroger.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=106409&p=irol-irhome" target="_new"> Kroger </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
