Mount Franklin Foods, parent company of Sunrise Confections and Azar Nut, has a new leader.

Gary A. Ricco will be the new president and ceo of the El Paso, Texas-based Mount Franklin Foods LLC, the company says.

“Gary Ricoo is one of the most well-respected and accomplished ceos in the candy business, with a long and successful career,” says Eloy S. Vallina, chairman of the board of directors of Elamex, which owns Moutn Franklin Foods. “His lifelong experience and knowledge in the industry is what we need at this juncture to take our company to new heights in terms of sales and profitability.”

Before joining Mount Franklin Foods, Ricco served as ceo of Jel Sert Co. as well as president of Farley Foods. He started his career in finance at Ward Foods after graduating from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisc.

Mount Franklin Food is a North American manufacturer of high quality confections and nut products serving major retailers, wholesalers and food service distributors.

For more information, visit www.sunriseconfections.com or www.azarnut.com.