DALLAS-Dean Foods Company announced last month that Steve Demos has resigned as president of the WhiteWave Foods division to pursue other interests. The announcement comes less than six months after Demos was picked to lead Dean's expanded value-added division.

Dean Foods Chairman and CEO, Gregg Engles, will assume direct leadership over WhiteWave Foods on an interim basis.

"Steve is a gifted entrepreneur and visionary," said Engles. "He built Silk into a formidable brand and has been instrumental in building our branded business platform. We are very grateful for his many contributions to Dean Foods."

James Mead & Company, a leading consumer packaged goods executive recruiting firm, will assist in the search for a new president of WhiteWave Foods.

In August, Demos was named president at the conclusion of Dean's acquisition of Horizon Organic. Simultaneously, Chuck Marcy, Horizon's founder and CEO stepped down. The division produces approximately $1.2 billion in annual revenue through its brands, including Silk, Horizon, International Delight and Land O'Lakes.