Dean Foods Names New President

Dean Foods, a dairy company in the United States and a global leader in soy products, announces that Joseph Scalzo, currently chief operating officer (COO), has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. In this role, Scalzo, 52, will oversee Dean Foods operational turnaround and near-term strategic initiatives, as well as its business units and key functions, including Fresh Dairy Direct, Morningstar, WhiteWave, Alpro, worldwide Supply Chain, and Research & Development.

 

"Since I named Joe Chief Operating Officer late last year, I have been impressed by his quick and thorough analysis of the business and the depth and breadth of mission-critical initiatives that are underway," says Gregg Engles, chairman of the Board and chief executive officer, Dean Foods. "In this short time frame, we have benefited greatly from his ability to build teams and establish a turnaround mindset."

 

Scalzo continues to focus on operating Dean Foods businesses and turnaround. He has primary responsibility for the profitability and growth of all Dean Foods operating units, for developing and driving the three-year strategic growth plans, and has oversight for all of the company's functional teams.

 

Scalzo's track record of successful turnarounds spans numerous companies including Gillette's Global Personal Care Division and Dean Foods WhiteWave Foods Company. At WhiteWave, he transformed three separate businesses into a single winning company that involved implementing SAP, moving from a brokered sales force to a stronger, in-house sales team, consolidating manufacturing from a host of co-packers to five state-of-the-art in-house facilities, and recruiting and developing world-class talent.