WASHINGTON – Jerry Hagedorn, executive vice president of business development for Barry Callebaut USA LLC, has been recognized with the National Confectioners Association’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award. Last given in 2014, the award honors individuals who have worked tirelessly throughout their careers to benefit the chocolate and candy industry in a lasting way.
As the chair of NCA’s Chocolate Council, Hagedorn has helped the cocoa and chocolate industry navigate a broad range of complex supply chain challenges from sustainability to domestic and international regulatory issues. His award comes on the heels of a successful Prop 65 settlement, in which he led an industry-wide effort among fellow chocolate companies to broker a compromise solution with a consumer interest group to help protect chocolate products being sold in California.
“Jerry is truly deserving of this distinction, as he acted in an extraordinarily unselfish manner to achieve something truly great on behalf of the entire industry,” remarked NCA President and CEO, John Downs. “His efforts will leave a lasting legacy that will benefit chocolate and cocoa companies for years to come.”
Hagedorn’s career in the industry spans nearly three decades, having spent 14 years at Brach’s Confections before joining Barry Callebaut in 2006. The award was presented at NCA’s State of the Industry Conference, where manufacturers, suppliers, brokers and retailers met to applaud Hagedorn’s achievements.
About the National Confectioners Association (NCA)
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these special treats. As the leading association for the $35 billion U.S. confectionery industry, NCA educates the public to help ensure that it understands and appreciates the unique role that chocolate and candy can play in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Confections are produced in all 50 states, creating jobs for approximately 55,000 workers in more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities across the country. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood. For every one job that is created by confectionery companies, another seven are supported in related industries. Learn more about the “Power of Sweet” at CandyUSA.com, or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Source: National Confectioners Association (NCA)