McDonald’s CMO Mary Dillon Heads to U.S. Cellular as CEO

Mary Dillon, the CMO and executive vice president of McDonald’s, is leaving. She has accepted a position as president and CEO of U.S. Cellular Corp. The position takes effect June 1.

Dillon will replace retiring president and CEO John E. Rooney. She will also be a member of the company’s board of directors.

At McDonald’s, the 48-year-old Dillon was responsible for worldwide marketing efforts and global brand strategy. She led initiatives to build and enhance the McDonald’s brand worldwide, and increase the quality and efficiency of marketing planning and execution.

Prior to joining McDonald’s, Dillon was president of the Quaker Foods division of PepsiCo Corporation.

“Mary has the rich consumer marketing background and strong operational experience to lead U.S. Cellular to superior long-term growth and success,” said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., U.S. Cellular chairman and TDS president and CEO, in a release. “She has the strategic focus to leverage the strengths of U.S. Cellular’s customer-focused Dynamic Organization, drive customer loyalty, and improve profitability and shareholder value. Mary’s integrity and passion for the customer are an excellent fit for the company.”

Dillon is on the board of Target Corp., and holds a BS in marketing and Asian studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago.