Cullen takes over for Bryce Ruiz who resigned in March for personal reasons. Ruiz is still on the company’s board of directors and is the eldest son of the company’s co-founder Fred Ruiz. He had been the CEO since Oct. 2009.

“The Ruiz board of directors and the Ruiz family are delighted to welcome Rachel and believe that her proven management skills, coupled with her extensive experience, makes her the perfect choice for our growth and future,” Kim Ruiz Beck, chairman of Ruiz Food Products said in a statement.

Ruiz Foods manufactures frozen Mexican foods under the El Monterey and Tornados brand names. It employs about 2,500 people at three facilities, including its Dinuba manufacturing plant.