Dean Foods Appoints Rick Zuroweste, Chief Marketing Officer, Dairy Group

DALLAS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dean Foods Company announced today the appointment of Rick Zuroweste to Chief Marketing Officer, Dairy Group, effective September 17. Reporting to Gregg Engles, Chairman and CEO, he will provide strategic leadership for the Dairy Group’s portfolio of brands and lead the development of new product offerings within that portfolio.

With over 23 years of experience, Rick is a seasoned marketing executive in the food and beverage industry. Having spent the last nine years at Coca-Cola in progressive marketing roles, Rick most recently held the position of Group Director for the Coca-Cola brands. His responsibilities included leading the Coke trademark strategy, implementation of company-wide process improvements and the development of the Coke Zero brand strategy.

While at Coca-Cola, Rick also led marketing and innovation for the Dasani brand and Minute Maid’s Shelf Stable Juices and Orange Juice. Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Rick held positions of increasing responsibility with Sara Lee’s Hillshire Farm brand, Ralston Purina’s Children’s Foods Group and Continental Baking, as well as Hasbro’s Toy Group.

“As a seasoned marketing executive in the food industry, Rick brings a wealth of experience and deep expertise to the Dairy Group,” said Engles. “As we begin to coordinate and bring consistency to our marketing efforts across the country, Rick’s record of success in the beverage industry will serve us well.”

About Dean Foods

Dean Foods Company is one of the leading food and beverage companies in the United States. Its Dairy Group division is the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country, with products sold under more than 50 familiar local and regional brands and a wide array of private labels. The Company’s WhiteWave Foods subsidiary markets and sells a variety of well-known dairy and dairy-related products, such as Silk(R) soymilk, Horizon Organic(R) milk and other dairy products and International Delight(R) coffee creamers. WhiteWave Foods’ Rachel’s Organic(R) brand is the largest organic milk brand and second largest organic yogurt brand in the United Kingdom.

   Contacts:  Media:              Marguerite Copel              Corporate Communications              214-721-1273               Investors:              Barry Sievert              Investor Relations              214-303-3437  

Dean Foods Company

CONTACT: media, Marguerite Copel, Corporate Communications,+1-214-721-1273, or investors, Barry Sievert, Investor Relations,+1-214-303-3437, both of Dean Foods Company

Web site: http://www.deanfoods.com/