Dillard Retires from AWG

Steve Dillard, VP of corporate sales development for Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, has announced his retirement effective this month.

Dillard, who began his career with AWG in 1974, held numerous positions in buying and merchandising until 1995. Then until 2003, he was VP of education and training, leading a team that developed and conducted more than 50 seminars for the cooperative’s 2,400-plus member retail stores. In 2003, Steve assumed his current corporate sales development position, for which he was responsible for recruiting new member companies into the cooperative.

“Steve will be missed,” said Jerry Garland, AWG president. “He has spent his entire career representing AWG and, more importantly, independent family-owned businesses in the best light possible. His contribution to our industry will remain for many years to come.”

In addition to his sales responsibilities, Dillard held numerous board of director positions, including board membership with the Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska grocers associations. He also was AWG’s corporate media and industry relations executive, interacting with local and national industry publications. Dillard was also a frequent speaker at National Grocers Association and Food Marketing Institute conferences, and he spoke at numerous state association conventions.

With the coming of his retirement, Dillard (pictured above with Sandy, his wife of 39 years) plans to work in various church, civic and missionary endeavors.