DINUBA, Calif. – Rachel Cullen was named president and chief executive officer of Ruiz Food Products, Inc. effective immediately, the company announced Aug. 20.

“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,” said Kim Ruiz Beck, chairman of the company.

“As I continue my responsibilities as Chairman,” Ruiz Beck added. “I will work closely with Rachel. Together, and with each of our 2,500 Ruiz Team Members, I am confident we will take advantage of all relevant market opportunities. I look forward to her vision as well as her leadership and dedication as she builds upon and reinforces the foundation of a very dynamic organization with firm commitments to our customers and consumers, our vendors and suppliers, our community and, most certainly, each other.”

Cullen brings more than 25 years of experience with leading food companies such as Unilever, Kraft and most recently Dean Foods Ice Cream. She has a bachelor of science in chemistry from the Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a master‘s degree in business administration from the Wharton School of Business, Univ. of Pennsylvania.

“I am honored to join such a highly regarded organization with a rich family legacy and a reputation for quality, innovation and excellence,” Cullen said. “It is a very exciting time at Ruiz Foods and I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue to build on Ruiz’ long-standing leadership role in making great foods for today’s families.”