Pete Schenkel and Lewis Collens Retire from Dean Foods Board of Directors; and Doreen Wright and Wayne Mailloux Elected as New Members

DALLAS, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF) today announced that Pete Schenkel and Lewis M. Collens retired from the Dean Foods Board of Directors and Wayne Mailloux and Doreen Wright were elected as new members, effective immediately.

Schenkel and Collens Retire from the Board

Pete Schenkel was elected to the Board of Directors in January 2000 and became Vice Chairman in January 2006. He previously served as President of Dean Dairy Group. Schenkel joined the company in January 2000 in connection with Dean Foods' acquisition of Southern Foods Group. From 1959 to December 31, 1999, he served in various capacities at Southern Foods Group, including Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1994 through 1999, and President from 1987 to 1994.

Over the last 50 years, Schenkel has been an iconic figure in the U.S. dairy industry and is considered one of the most important figures in the creation and success of Dean Foods to date.

Lewis M. Collens was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2001 in connection with Suiza Foods' acquisition of the former Dean Foods Company. He served on the Board of the former Dean Foods from 1991-2001. Collens was President of Illinois Institute of Technology and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IIT Research Institute from 1990 to 2007.

'Pete and Lew have been integral members of the Board of Directors and have added value throughout their tenure and will be missed,' said Gregg Engles, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. 'The Board wishes them well in the next phase of their careers and thanks them for their many contributions.'

Wright and Mailloux Elected to the Board

Dean Foods is pleased to welcome Doreen Wright and Wayne Mailloux to its Board of Directors. 'We are thrilled that Doreen and Wayne have agreed to join Dean Foods' Board,' said Engles.