Dean Foods Promotes COO Ralph Scozzafava As CEO, Effective Jan. 1

(RTTNews) - Dean Foods Co. (DF), a food and beverage company, announced Thursday that Ralph Scozzafava has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2017. Scozzafava, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Gregg Tanner.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, Tanner will remain as an advisor to the company through the Annual Stockholders Meeting in May 2017.

Scozzafava joined Dean Foods in October 2014 as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in October 2015. He has more than 30 years of experience in the consumer goods and grocery categories, including at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. and at Campbell Soup Co.

Scozzafava said, "My time at the Company has been very fulfilling, and I am excited to lead a great team as we position the Company for the next phase of growth," said. "I am confident we can do so by executing on our strategy to build and buy brands, strengthen our private label business and further optimize our network and capabilities."