DALLAS, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dean Foods
Company (NYSE:DF) today announced that Ralph Scozzafava, Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Gregg
A. Tanner as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and as a
member of the Company's Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2017. In order to ensure a smooth
transition, Mr. Tanner will remain as an advisor to the Company
through the Annual Stockholders Meeting in May 2017.
"This announced transition is the culmination of our succession
planning efforts, and the Board is confident that Ralph – supported
by Dean Foods' experienced and dedicated management team – is the
right leader for the Company's continued success and growth," said
Jim Turner, Non-Executive Chairman
of the Board. "The Board sincerely thanks Gregg for his many
contributions to Dean Foods over the past decade. His outstanding
leadership, especially following the divesture of Morningstar and
the spin-off of WhiteWave, was instrumental in achieving a renewed
focus and guiding the Company through new business
opportunities."
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. Company and at Campbell Soup Company.
Scozzafava's experience gives him deep knowledge in organizational
capabilities and improving operating results.
"Ralph is a passionate leader with a successful track record of
growing businesses, driving efficiencies and building strong teams.
I am confident in Ralph's and the team's ability to advance the
business and deliver substantial shareholder value," said Tanner.
"I look forward to supporting Ralph in his new role and working to
ensure a seamless transition."
"Our 17,000 employees take pride in selling wholesome,
nutritious products and serving the needs of families and
communities nationwide. 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 Scozzafava. "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."
About Dean Foods
Dean Foods® is a leading food and
beverage company and the largest processor and direct-to-store
distributor of fresh fluid milk and other dairy and dairy case
products in the United States.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas,
the Dean Foods portfolio includes DairyPure®, the country's first
and largest fresh, white milk national brand, and TruMoo®, the
leading national flavored milk brand, along with well-known
regional dairy brands such as Alta Dena®, Berkeley Farms®, Country
Fresh®, Dean's®, Friendly's®, Garelick Farms®, LAND O LAKES®* milk
and cultured products, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms®, Mayfield®,
McArthur®, Meadow Gold®, Oak Farms®, PET®**, T.G. Lee®, Tuscan® and
more. In all, Dean Foods has more than 50 national, regional and
local dairy brands as well as private labels. Dean Foods also makes
and distributes ice cream, cultured products, juices, teas, and
bottled water. Almost 17,000 employees across the country work
every day to make Dean Foods the most admired and trusted provider
of wholesome, great-tasting dairy products at every occasion. For
more information about Dean Foods and its brands, visit
www.deanfoods.com.
*The LAND O LAKES brand is owned by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and used
by license.
**PET is a trademark of Eagle Family Foods Group LLC, used under
license.
CONTACT: Corporate Communications, Jamaison Schuler, +1-214-721-7766; or Investor
Relations, Sherri Baker,
+1-214-303-3438.
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SOURCE Dean Foods Company