Ruiz Food Products Inc., Dinuba, Calif., names Rachel Cullen president and CEO effective immediately. Cullen joins the company with more than 25 years of experience with leading food and consumer businesses such as Unilever, Kraft, Orange Glo International and, most recently, Dean Foods Ice Cream.

“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, make her the perfect choice for our growth and future,” says Kim Ruiz Beck, chairman, Ruiz Food Products.

“Our unique culture has been instrumental in helping us come a long way since we made our very first burritos and enchiladas in 1964,” said Fred Ruiz, co-founder and chairman emeritus, Ruiz Foods. “I am pleased to be able to say that Rachel recognizes the strength of our culture and embraces our commitment to our community and our team members. She also understands the significance of the leadership role we have built in the industry and will support the continued focus on both our customers and consumers–a focus we work very hard to maintain.”

“I am honored to join such a highly regarded organization with a rich family legacy and a reputation for quality, innovation and excellence,” Cullen says. “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.”

Adds Ruiz Beck, “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.”