Le Sueur-based international cheese and food ingredient company Davisco Foods International, Inc., has appointed Jon Davis as its new president and CEO-a leadership transition that took effect January 1.

Davis succeeds his father Mark Davis, who previously took the reins from the younger Davis' grandfather, company founder Stanley Davis.

Since the age of 14, Jon Davis has worked at family-owned Davisco. After graduating from the University of St. Thomas in 1992, he moved to Idaho-home of Davisco division Jerome Cheese Company, which he began managing in 1995. In 2000, Davis was named chief operating officer for all Davisco manufacturing operations-and he spearheaded the design, construction, and commissioning of Davisco's green-field cheese and whey protein facility in eastern South Dakota.

“Jon has grown up in our family business and the dairy industry, and has earned the opportunity to lead Davisco as we go forward,” Mark Davis said in a statement. “Jon has held various leadership positions, and most recently, as chief operating officer, he was responsible for all aspects of the cheese and whey ingredient manufacturing facilities.”

Despite stepping down as Davisco president and CEO, Mark Davis will continue in his role as chairman of Davisco's board.

Davisco produces 456 million gallons of milk, 400 million pounds of cheese, and 10 million pounds of whey protein isolates annually. It is among Minnesota's 25 largest privately held companies based on revenue, which totaled $928 million for the most recent fiscal year.