VP, Retail and Digital Technology
Pilot Company
David Dawson has spent more than 20 years building a career in retail technology, growing from a helpdesk analyst to Vice President of Retail and Digital Technology at Pilot. His experience spans systems integration, QA, and enterprise architecture, giving him a deep understanding of how technology supports every part of the business.
Today, David leads the teams responsible for delivering a seamless guest experience, from point-of-sale and payments to loyalty, omni-channel interactions, and the data that connects it all. His focus is on creating a scalable, future-ready digital ecosystem that enables real-time execution, supports frontline agility, and drives data-informed decisions across Pilot’s 800+ travel centers.
David holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business and a BA in Business Administration from Maryville College. At NRF 2026, he will share practical insights on leading digital transformation and building technology solutions that work from the ground up.
Sunday Jan 11
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Exhibitor Big Ideas Stage 3
Pilot Company operates in one of retail’s most demanding environments, where dispersed teams, diverse activities, and paper processes made consistency and connection difficult. Partnering with YOOBIC, Pilot Company modernized frontline work with expert technical guidance, real-time visibility, and a unified framework that connected every team member. YOOBIC’s retail expertise helped Pilot standardize execution, strengthen communication, and onboard teams quickly. This session shows how Pilot brought their workforce together, showing people matter at every turn, and how connected teams drive culture, confidence, and operational excellence at scale.
