Northfield, IL — W. Anthony Vernon will join Kraft Foods, Inc.'s executive team as president of Kraft Foods North America, replacing Rick Searer, who plans to retire in September.

Vernon comes to Kraft after spending 26 years in the healthcare industry, most recently as healthcare industry partner of Ripplewood Holdings. Earlier in his career, he led several of consumer brands at John & Johnson Services, Inc., such as Splenda and Tylenol.