SEATTLE — Cor van den Berg has been named chief financial officer at Darigold, Inc., a Seattle-based farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

Van den Berg brings nearly 20 years of experience at Mars, Inc. to his new role. He held several financial leadership roles at the confectionery and food products company, including CFO of its health and nutrition division, CFO of its North America food operations and global director of strategic revenue management.

He joins Darigold from City of Hope, a clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school in California, where he was senior vice president of financial planning and analysis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in international business administration from universities in his native Netherlands, and completed continuing education programs through MIT, Stanford University and the London Business School.

The CFO role at Darigold will have added importance for the co-op as it embarks on several of its largest capital investment projects in its 104-year history, including construction of a new premium protein and butter production facility in Pasco, Wash., and the restoration of a butter and milk powder facility in Caldwell, Idaho, that suffered fire damage in October.

“I grew up in an agricultural region in Holland and have always had a passion for the food and agriculture sectors,” van den Berg said. “Coming to Darigold in this capacity lets me return to an industry I know and love, and where I can add value to the business, but with the opportunity to learn a segment of the industry that is new to me — global dairy — as well as the intricacies of leading the finance function in a member-owned co-op.”