US yoghurt maker Dannon, part of French dairy giant Groupe Danone, has announced the appointment of Juan Carlos Dalto as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.


Dalto will have strategic and direct responsibilities for dairy products in the US 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 Danone in December 1997, served as marketing VP for Danone Argentina before moving on to lead Danone Portugal as CEO in 2000. He became president and CEO of Danone Italia in 2002. Prior to joining Groupe Danone, Dalto served as marketing manager for Kraft Suchard Argentina’s ice cream business and marketing director for Pillsbury Argentina.