PURCHASE, N.Y. — Alberto Weisser, chairman and chief executive officer of Bunge Ltd., has been elected to the board of directors of PepsiCo, Inc., effective Sept. 14.

Mr. Weisser, 56, has been chairman and c.e.o. at Bunge since 1999. From 1993 to 1999 he was Bunge’s chief financial officer. Prior to joining Bunge, he worked for the BASF Group for 15 years in Brazil, Germany, the United States and Mexico.

Mr. Weisser is a member of the board of directors of International Paper Co., the Council of the Americas and Rabobank’s North American Agribusiness Advisory Board. He also is a member of The Council on Foreign Relations.

“Alberto brings to the PepsiCo board a deep understanding of the opportunities and issues inherent in the global food business,” said Indra K. Nooyi, chairman and c.e.o. of PepsiCo. “Under his leadership, Bunge has delivered strong business results, expanded in key emerging markets and maximized operating efficiencies throughout its global organization. Alberto understands commodity markets extremely well; which is a key skill in helping us continue to achieve sustained growth.”

Mr. Weisser received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and attended INSEAD’s Management Development Program.

The election of Mr. Weisser to PepsiCo’s board will bring the total number of directors to 13, and the total number of independent outside directors to 12. In addition, PepsiCo’s board includes one inside director — Ms. Nooyi.