Scalzo joins Atkins after departing Dean Foods where he served as its president and chief operating officer. He is credited at Dean for leading the transformation of its WhiteWave Foods Company, which began as three separate businesses, into a winning consumer foods company.

Prior to Dean Foods, Scalzo was a member of Gillette's senior management team and spearheaded the successful, three-year turnaround of the company's one billion dollar global personal care business. Before joining Dean Foods, Scalzo held various leadership positions at The Coca-Cola Company.

Scalzo began his career at Procter & Gamble in 1985. He currently serves on the board of directors of Earthbound Farms, a leading organic food company as well as being a director of Seacology, an island conservation non-profit.

"We are very pleased to have Joe at the helm of Atkins," said Ezra Field, managing director at Roark Capital Group and member of Atkins' board of directors. "He brings great experience building valuable and trusted consumer brands, and with healthy and nutritious foods in particular, as well as strong executive leadership skills."

"The Atkins Diet has a rich 40-year history and its proven ability to help consumers lose weight and improve their overall health is backed by science," said Scalzo. "I look forward to working with the entire Atkins team to continue to offer delicious new products and innovative resources to help consumers with their weight management, health and nutrition goals."

Scalzo joined Atkins Nutritionals in early February.