Whitehall Specialties, Whitehall, Wis., announced the appointment of Steve Snyder as the company’s president and CEO. The appointment reinforces the company’s mission to help customer partners meet their evolving demand for finished, bulk and ingredient processed cheese products that satisfy a range of customized requirements, from functionality to flavor, color and texture.

Snyder, an experienced growth-oriented executive from the food and nutrition industry, is well known for his expertise in marketing to trending food and nutritional categories, Whitehall Specialties noted.

“I am honored and excited to join the Whitehall team,” Snyder said. “Through working with our valued customer partners leveraging cheese formulation know-how, the company has become a significant global player.

“Now, there are exciting opportunities to grow the company further both in the U.S. and abroad,” he added. “We are poised to meet emerging consumer demand for new cheese products, including plant-based protein and vegan offerings. With the company’s world-class assets and support of its dedicated team, we have a winning combination to better serve this new generation of manufacturers and consumers.” 

Snyder served on the company’s board of directors for the past four years and brings a strong marketing, innovation and leadership background in the management and growth of better-for-you, innovative food and nutrition businesses, Whitehall Specialties said. While an executive at Cargill, Snyder’s team launched the branded consumer product and ingredient Truvia, the first all-natural high-intensity, no-calorie sweetener, and drove the growth of the nutritional ingredient businesses. He was also president and chief operating officer of Neogen Corp.

“With an experienced leader like Steve at the helm, we believe Whitehall Specialties is well positioned for a new era of growth delivering a range of innovative cheese solutions to the market, including plant-based alternatives and other on-trend consumer offerings,” said Greg Myers, Whitehall Specialties’ chairman of the board.

Snyder’s appointment follows the retirement of Karl Kramer.