Vice President of Purchasing
The Dannon Company, Inc.

Francois Blanckaert was appointed vice president of purchasing for The Dannon Company on March 1, 2003. A member of the Dannon Executive Committee, Blanckaert is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for all materials and services purchased in the United States and Canada.

Blanckaert joined the Danone Group in 1991 and served most recently as Director of Supply-Chain for Danone in France until his move to the U.S. Before that, he served as Global Sourcing Director, responsible for sugar, milk ingredients and cultures purchases for the Danone Group worldwide. He also worked for Danone Poland as Purchasing Director.

Blanckaert graduated from Lille University in France with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in International Business.

He currently resides in New York with his wife and two children.