SÃO PAULO, Brazil – David Alan Palfenier, a former executive at ConAgra Foods, was named the new chief executive officer of Seara Alimentos, a Marfrig Alimentos S.A. company.

Palfenier succeeds Mayr Bonassi, who announced he will retire at the end of 2012. Bonassi will serve on the company's Advisory Committee.

Palfenier has been President of ConAgra Foods' Consumer Foods Snacks and International business since April 2010. He joined ConAgra in 2004 as senior vice president of marketing and subsequently was president of several business units, including Frozen Foods, Grocery Products, Refrigerated and Specialty Brands, and finally Snacks. His positions covered brands and concept products in the United States and internationally. Before joining ConAgra Foods, he spent 13 years at PepsiCo, including as president of the company's Brazil operations, following eight years at P&G. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with major in marketing from the Eastern Washington Univ.

"With his talent and experience in processed and value-added products, David Palfenier will lead Seara to a new phase in its development strategy, grounded on sustainable growth in Brazil and international markets. He will continue the excellent job done by Mayr Bonassi and his team during the creation and structuring of Seara," said Marcos Antonio Molina dos Santos, CEO and chairman of the Marfrig Group.

Bonassi joined Marfrig Group's poultry and pork business, according to the company. He led the integration of the companies and assets that now make up Seara, one of Brazil's largest food producers and exporters.