BUFFALO, N.Y. — Richard Ferranti has been named chief executive officer at Rich Products Corp., effective Jan. 1, 2020. He will succeed longtime c.e.o. William G. Gisel, who will become executive vice chairman of Rich Holdings, Inc., the holding company for all Rich family business enterprises.

Mr. Ferranti steps into the c.e.o. role after his promotion to company president in April of last year. He joined Rich’s in 1986 and was named president of the company’s International Business Group in 1997, after working in a series of sales and marketing roles. He also was president of the company’s North America Business Group, before being named chief operating officer in 2012.

Mr. Ferranti received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Canisius College in Buffalo and a master’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Throughout their decades-long relationship, Mr. Ferranti and Mr. Gisel have worked to grow the family-owned food company’s global footprint, which now spans six continents and operates in more than 100 countries.

“Richard and I have worked closely together since the start of our global expansion 30 years ago,” Mr. Gisel said. “Navigating the complex nature of a global business — especially in a diverse industry like food — is a formidable challenge. With his vast experience and exceptional leadership skills, Richard is the ideal candidate to assume this important role.”