Ralph Scozzafava '76

Ralph Scozzafava graduated from Immaculate High School in 1976 and has had a successful life and career ever since, including three decades of leadership experience and success in the consumer packaged goods sector. Ralph attended the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA where he majored in business and played college basketball. He went on to receive an MBA from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI and completed the KMI graduate program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He began his career in sales, marketing and merchandising for many familiar global companies such as Campbell Soup Company, Clorox Company and Johnson and Johnson.

Ralph is currently Chief Executive Officer Dean Foods Company (NSYE: DF), located in Dallas, Texas and also serves on the Board of Directors of Stage Stores, Inc., where he is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee. Prior to joining Dean Foods Mr. Scozzafava served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Furniture Brands International, Inc. and also had prominent roles at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, where he held several positions, including Vice President - Worldwide Commercial Operations and Vice President & Managing Director - North America/Pacific.

Prior to being named CEO at Dean Foods in 2017, Mr. Scozzafava served there as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In that role he oversaw the Commercial functions of Sales, Marketing, and R&D along with Operations & Procurement and Logistics. Mr. Scozzafava joined Dean Foods in October 2014 as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Ralph finds many ways to give back to his community, including having served as a director for the St. Louis YMCA. His past positions have also included Chairman of the Board for Keep America Beautiful Inc., and as a director of the Boston-based Center on Media and Child Health and the Chicago-based Heartland Alliance.

Ralph is a member of the Immaculate High School Athletic Hall of Fame and was part of the 1976 boys State Championship basketball team. Ralph was a major supporter of the Immaculate’s gymnasium renovation, helping to make it a top-rate gym for today’s student-athletes and the pride of Immaculate High School. He is looking forward to being the Keynote Speaker for the IHS 2017 Career Day, where he will have the opportunity to offer advice and encouragement to students about how to apply all they have learned at Immaculate to their future endeavors.

Ralph and his wife Liz live in Dallas, Texas and have two children, Ralph and Cara. Although he lives so far away, Ralph still hasn’t forgotten where he got his start and continues to share his time, talents and treasure with his alma mater. The staff and student body are so grateful that he continues to show his dedication to his Immaculate; alumni like Ralph are the foundation of our school!