DirecTV Group chose the vice chairman of PepsiCo as its chief executive Wednesday, filling a vacuum created when its former chief left just as the nation’s largest satellite TV provider was in the midst of a spinoff.

Michael White, 57, will take the CEO position Jan. 1. He replaces Chase Carey, who left to become News Corp.’s president and chief operating officer July 1.

White, who is also chief executive of PepsiCo International, was scheduled to retire from his positions at PepsiCo this year.