Torrance-based institutional coffee roaster Farmer Bros. Co. said that Roger “Rocky” Laverty, an experienced food and beverage business executive, has been named the company’s president and chief operating officer, effective July 24.

From 2003 until December, 2005, Laverty was president and chief executive officer of Diedrich Coffee, an Irvine-based specialty coffee roaster, wholesaler and retailer with $53 million in 2005 revenue. He also served 19 years in executive positions with Los Angeles-based retailer Smart & Final Inc.

Laverty, a 58-year-old Manhattan Beach resident of Manhattan Beach, Calif., received his law and bachelor’s degrees from Stanford University.

“We are thrilled that our long and careful nationwide search has led to such a great outcome,” said Chief Executive Guenter Berger. “Rocky will bring the skills that will help our team take to the next level our efforts to strengthen operations and grow sales. We expect to make good use of his deep understanding of the food industry and his proven ability to fuel growth.”