The Dannon Company Inc. announced that Juan Carlos Dalto has been appointed president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Dalto has an extensive international background in the packaged goods industry and will have strategic and direct responsibilities for dairy products in the U.S. and Canada. He succeeds Thomas Kunz, who was recently promoted to executive vice president of the Groupe Danone Water and Beverage Division.

Dalto, who joined Dannon's parent company, Groupe Danone, in December 1997, served as marketing vice president for Danone Argentina before moving on to lead Danone Portugal as CEO in 2000. He continued his progression within the company, becoming president & CEO of Danone Italia in 2002 until his most recent appointment at The Dannon Company Inc. Prior to joining Groupe Danone, Dalto served as marketing manager for Kraft Suchard Argentina's Ice Cream Business and marketing director for Pillsbury Argentina.

"Dannon is growing faster in its category than any other yogurt brand," said Dalto. "I look forward to continuing this upward trend at Dannon and driving a successful growth strategy."