Hain Celestial names Pasquale Conte chief financial officer

Lake Success-based Hain Celestial Group Inc. has named a new chief financial officer.

Pasquale Conte, 52, assumed the post, effective Tuesday, the company announced this week. He succeeds Stephen J. Smith, 55, who held the job for two years.

Smith previously worked at cosmetics company Elizabeth Arden for 12 years. He is leaving Hain to "pursue other opportunities" but will remain through Sept. 30 "to ensure an orderly transition," the company said.

Conte joined Hain, which makes and distributes foods and personal care products including Celestial Seasonings teas and Terra chips, in July 2009 after working as a financial consultant to the company. In October, he was named senior vice president for finance and company treasurer.