MARSHALL — Although there’s been a change in ownership for the company, key leadership at Schwan’s Company will be staying the same. Schwan’s CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios was named executive chairman of CJCJ Food, Americas, said CJ CheilJedang CEO Sinho Kang.

In his new role, Smyrnios will be chairman of the board of CJ Foods USA and will continue as CEO of Schwan’s.

“On behalf of everyone at CJCJ, we are excited to have Dimitrios chart the course for our strategic innovation and growth plans in the United States and across the Americas,” Kang said in a news release. “With a strong foundation of talented people, diverse capabilities and high-quality brands and foods in the Americas, CJCJ is poised to achieve our ambitious growth goals under his trusted and experienced leadership.”

A leader in the Korean food industry for 60 years, CJCJ bought Schwan’s and several of its subsidiaries in February 2019.

“Since Schwan’s joined the global CJ family last year, I have been extremely impressed with the company and its commitment to the U.S. business and our people,” Smyrnios said. “I am truly proud to be a part of such a world-class company. I am also honored and excited to take on this important leadership role for CJCJ as it invests in its Americas-based people, operations, brands and products to better serve our customers and grow our business.”

Smyrnios joined Schwan’s Company as CEO in 2013, and currently leads the Schwan’s management team. In his role leading CJCJ’s food businesses in the Americas, Smyrnios will focus on aligning Schwan’s and California-based CJ Foods USA to serve retail and foodservice customers and advance global growth for CJCJ.

All together, Schwan’s and CJ Foods USA operate 21 U.S.-based manufacturing plants, with Schwan’s operating 16 and CJ Foods USA operating five. CJ Foods USA produces a range of packaged Asian foods sold under the Bibigo, Annie Chun’s, and Twin Marquis brands. Schwan’s Consumer Brands also distributes a variety of frozen foods, under brands including Red Baron and Tony’s pizza, and Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards desserts.

“As CJCJ’s family of food businesses in the Americas grow closer, I’m confident that together we will play a big role in shaping the CJCJ global growth trajectory,” Smyrnios said. “I also want to thank every Schwan’s and CJ Foods USA employee for embracing the important role we play in making sure people have access to food during the COVID-19 pandemic.”