WESTCHESTER, ILL. — The board of directors of Corn Products International, Inc. has named Ilene Gordon chairman, president and chief executive officer effective May 4. She will succeed Samuel C. Scott III, who has been chairman and c.e.o. since 2001 and president since 1997.

Ms. Gordon, 55, has more than 30 years of experience in senior-level, international management, and most recently was president and c.e.o. of Rio Tinto’s Alcan Packaging since 2007. From 2004 to 2006 she was president of Alcan Food Packaging Americas. Earlier, she held positions of increasing responsibility with Pechiney and Tenneco for more than 20 years, and began her career as a strategy consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.

She received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s of science degree in management from M.I.T.’s Sloan School of Management.

"We selected Ilene Gordon because of her strong leadership skills, international experience, and knowledge of commodity businesses and the food and beverage industry," said William S. Norman, a Corn Products’ board member. "We are confident this will be an orderly, thorough and thoughtful transition."

Mr. Scott, 65, announced his intent to retire more than a year ago, but postponed his plans after Bunge Ltd. agreed to acquire Corn Products, a transaction that ultimately fell through this past November. Corn Products’ company policy calls for senior executives to step down by age 65.

"During Sam’s tenure as c.e.o., the company greatly expanded its international operations, made several key acquisitions and surpassed $3.9 billion in net sales," Mr. Norman said.