ATCHISON, KAS. — Longtime food industry executive David Colo has been elected to the board of directors of MGP Ingredients Inc. Mr. Colo, who currently is executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Diamond Foods, Inc., fills a vacancy on the board created by the retirement of Cloud L. “Bud” Cray.

“On behalf of the entire board, it gives me great pleasure to welcome David as our newest director,” said Karen Seaberg, chairperson. “His vast experience as a leading executive of major food companies is highly impressive and will enable him to provide a great deal of knowledge and insight beneficial to the achievement of MGP’s mission and growth strategies. We look forward to the leadership qualities he brings to the board and are very excited he has agreed to accept this role with our company.”

David Colo new member of the MGP Ingredients Inc. board of directors.

Mr. Colo has been executive vice-president and c.o.o. of Diamond Foods since June 2013, and earlier was executive vice-president of global operations and supply chain at Diamond Foods. Before joining Diamond Foods he was an independent industry consultant, focusing on organizational optimization and planning. From 2005 to 2009, he held leadership positions in the consumer products division of ConAgra Foods, Inc., including roles as senior vice-president of sales and operations planning, senior vice-president of enterprise manufacturing and senior vice-president of operations. From 2003 to 2005, he was president of ConAgra Food Ingredients.

Before his employment at ConAgra Foods, Mr. Colo spent several years with Nestle-Purina Pet Care Co. and two years as president of the American Dehydrated Onion and Garlic Association.

“I am honored to be joining the board of MGP Ingredients and look forward to working with Karen Seaberg, the board and the MGP leadership team as they build on the strong foundation and recent successes of the company,” Mr. Colo said.

Ms. Seaberg also expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Cray for “the outstanding service he has provided to the board and company for almost 70 years.” As his daughter, she spoke to the guidance he has given her and the examples he has set on “how to lead with a visionary approach and an optimistic attitude that anything is achievable if one is determined and willing to work hard toward a positive goal.”

She added, “I have the utmost respect for my father and, together with my fellow directors, applaud all of the great things he has done over the years to make MGP a stronger and increasingly progressive business.”

Mr. Cray’s retirement from MGPI’s board culminates his long and successful history as a director, including several terms as chairman, along with the leadership he provided as a longtime executive officer. Although he will no longer perform an active role on MGPI’ board, he retains the title of chairman emeritus.

Mr. Cray joined MGPI as a full-time executive in 1947. He succeeded his father, Cloud L. Cray Sr., as president in 1962 and held that position until being made chief executive officer and beginning his first term as board chairman in 1980. In 1988, he turned over the role of c.e.o. to his son-in-law, Ladd Seaberg, who succeeded him as president eight years earlier. Mr. Cray retired from internal management of the company in 1995, choosing to continue his involvement in MGPI through his role on the board. He was succeeded as chairman of the board by Ladd Seaberg in 2006. He resumed his role as chairman in May 2014 and was succeeded by his daughter, Karen Seaberg, at the end of that year.