An international food expert known for his numerous contributions to the field has been named chair of food marketing at Saint Joseph's University.

John Stanton, Ph.D., will provide leadership and oversight to faculty and students in the sole food marketing program in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia-based Saint Joseph's has one of just six recognized food industry curriculums in the United States. Stanton had previously served the university as a professor of food marketing.

For Stanton, food has always been a passion. "I was very interested in food as a young man and was trained to cook by a neighbor," he said. "And for the past 35 years, I've cooked 100 percent of the meals in my home."

For the same length of time, Stanton has applied his passion for food to fuel a varied and successful career in both academia and industry. "Food marketing is simple," he added. "It is making what people want to eat -- not making people eat what you want to make."

Stanton provides consulting services to food companies including the Campbell Soup Co., Procter & Gamble, Frito Lay, and Kellogg. He is the author of nine books. His recent work, "Making Niche Marketing Work," was published in five languages and was the first selection for BusinessWeek's book club.