ConAgra Foods Inc. named a former top executive of PepsiCo Inc. as its new president and chief executive.

Gary Rodkin, the chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Beverages, succeeds Bruce Rohde, who announced earlier this year he wanted to leave the company. Rodkin will take over October 1, when he will also be made a member of the board of directors.

Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra is one of the nation's largest processed food companies, with brands such as Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters and Parkay.

"Gary is a quality person and a proven leader. His record of growing brands, marketing excellence and leading people is exactly what we need. He is fully ready for this opportunity, and our people are ready to respond," Rohde said in a statement.

ConAgra also announced the appointment of Lou Nieto as president of the Packaged Meats and Deli division. Nieto will be based in Naperville, Ill. In his previous position, Nieto was president and chief executive officer of Federated Group Inc., and before that, he held senior positions at Dean Foods Company and Mission Foods Company.