FARA SAN MARTINO, ITALY — Marco de Ceglie has been named chief executive officer of the USA division for De Cecco.

Mr. de Ceglie’s responsibilities include broadening De Cecco’s market share and distribution channels in the United States with a focus on brand awareness.

Previously, Mr. de Ceglie was c.e.o. and executive vice-president of marketing and sales at American Rice Inc., and earlier he was president and managing director of Mediterranean Dressing, a business unit of Unilever Italy.

De Cecco is an Italian company that produces dried pasta, sauces, and its own olive oil brand, among other related foods. Founded in 1886 by Filippo Giovanni De Cecco in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, the company originally produced flour at its stone mill before establishing a pasta factory.

Headquartered in Fara San Martino, Italy, De Cecco is the third largest pasta producer in the world.