The Dannon Company Builds U.S. Executive Teams in Foodservice, Sales and Marketing to Support Continued Yogurt Category Growth

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dannon Company, Inc. today announced three new appointments within its senior management with the naming of Eric O’Toole as SVP, Foodservice & Restaurant Business Unit; Luciano (Lucho) Lopez-May as SVP, Sales; and Sergio Fuster, SVP, Marketing.

“Additionally, the establishment of our new Foodservice & Restaurant Business Unit will support Dannon’s ventures in new distribution channels.”

“Dannon is committed to growing our most valuable asset – our people - and we have a team in place that has a tremendous amount of experience, which will accelerate the growth of the business. We see big opportunities for the yogurt category to continue to grow, and we are dedicated to strengthening our company with continued investments in leadership and new business models. Eric, Lucho and Sergio are key to this evolution. All of these talented individuals have evolved from their previous assignments within the company, which is a testament to the fact that Dannon and Danone is a great place to grow your career,” said Gustavo Valle, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Dannon Company. “Additionally, the establishment of our new Foodservice & Restaurant Business Unit will support Dannon’s ventures in new distribution channels.”

As Senior Vice President of the newly established Foodservice & Restaurant Business Unit, Eric O’Toole is responsible for sales, marketing and operations. Mr. O’Toole was previously Senior Vice President of Sales, where he redesigned the sales organization through the pilot and expansion of Dannon Retail Intensity team and facilitated the expansion of Dannon’s Sales Planning program. Mr. O’Toole joined Dannon in 2003 as Senior Director of Marketing and in 2005, was appointed Vice President, Marketing for Danone Poland. In 2007, Mr. O’Toole returned to Dannon in the U.S., where he rebuilt the “Away-From-Home” business model and facilitated the Company’s new venture strategy.

As Senior Vice President of Sales, Luciano Lopez-May is responsible for leading sales strategy and resource allocation, including the development of customer partnerships and new business opportunities. Most recently, Mr. Lopez-May was Vice President of Sales Strategy and Planning. Mr. Lopez-May joined Dannon in April 2004 as Sales Director for the global Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club business. Previously, he led Dannon’s Hispanic market development efforts across the United States, Panama and the Caribbean and was appointed Senior Director, Shopper Demand in April 2009.

As Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sergio Fuster is responsible for leading the marketing team, new product development and advertising for all Dannon fresh dairy brands. Previously, Mr. Fuster was Vice President, Marketing for Danone Mexico where he successfully led the implementation of Danone’s consumer strategy and plans and accelerated the Danone brand portfolio. Mr. Fuster joined Danone in August 2006 as Marketing Director, Cardio Overlay, from Procter & Gamble where he worked on several categories across Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. He began his career as a Marketing Manager with United Biscuits, a Kraft brand, in Spain.

About The Dannon Company, Inc.

The Dannon Company is America's founding national yogurt company and continually leverages its expertise to develop and market innovative cultured fresh dairy products in the United States. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., Dannon has plants in Minster, Ohio, Fort Worth, Texas, and West Jordan, Utah. The company produces and sells approximately 100 different types of flavors, styles and sizes of cultured fresh dairy products. Dannon is owned by Danone, one of the world's leading producers of packaged foods and beverages. Danone's mission is to bring health through tasty, nutritious and affordable food and beverage products to as many people as possible. Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt products worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone.

With a strong commitment to high-quality, wholesome, nutritious and innovative products, The Dannon Company is committed to encouraging healthy eating and living. This commitment is also illustrated through The Dannon Company's support of the Dannon Institute, an independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting research, education, and communication about the links between nutrition, diet and health. For more information, please visit www.dannon.com.