Dallas-based Borden Dairy Co. said it name veteran food company executive Tony Sarsam as its new CEO, effective immediately. Sarsam has more than three decades of experience in the food industry, serving in a wide array of positions at major companies that include Frito-Lay, Nestlé and PepsiCo.

Most recently, he served as CEO of Ready Pac Foods Inc., Borden Dairy said. Under Sarsam’s leadership, Ready Pac Foods grew by more than 60% and established a dominant 80% share of the complete meal salad category with its flagship Bistro Salad brand. The growth and profitability of the company attracted great interest and culminated in the sale of the business to Bonduelle in 2017.

“We are delighted to welcome Tony Sarsam to Borden,” said Adam Kriger of Borden’s board of directors. “His deep and broad experience throughout the food industry, and especially his exceptional leadership of Ready Pac, make him a perfect fit for Borden.”

Borden is a heritage American brand, with a legacy that stretches over a century and a half, the company noted.

“Borden is an exceptional company whose brand sits at the heart of American food,” Sarsam said. “This is a great time to be in the food business. Consumers are excited about innovation and receptive to new ideas as well as time-honored traditions.

“I am honored to help steward Borden and this extraordinary team into a new era by building on its long and successful history and by bringing exciting new products to our long-time customers,” he added.