People News

The National Candy Association's (NCA) 2007 All Candy Expo named Hershey's executive Tom Joyce to vice chairman position for the event's committee. Joyce, vice president of customer and industry affairs for The Hershey Co., was appointed to the role and will serve with current chairman Michael Gilmore, the vice president for brand development, chocolates for Ferrara Pan Candy Co.

Joyce, who currently serves on the Expo's executive board, has been involved with the association for many years in a number of roles on committees, sub-committees and tasks forces. He was also inducted into the National Confectionery Sales Association's Candy Hall of Fame in 2003.

"Tom Joyce brings a wide range of talent and expertise to his new role and working in tandem with Michael over the coming months will prepare him well as NCA's next Expo chairman," said Larry Graham, president of NCA. "He has proven himself an overachiever and pioneer at The Hershey Company and is also highly respected by many other food and retail industry trade organizations. His vision, along with Michael Gilmore's experience, passion and inspiration, are guaranteed to deliver the best Expo possible this year."

Joyce joined The Hershey Co. as a sales merchandiser in Louisville, Ky., in 1975. During his 31-year career with the company, he has held a variety of positions in broker management and industry relations. He is also a five-time recipient of Hershey's President's Cup award for sales excellence.

In other supplier news, Steve Sandman was appointed vice president of sales and marketing for Glenview, Ill.-based Republic Tobacco. Sandman will replace Republic's national sales manager, Warren Schoening, who will be retiring from his post in June, and provide Sandman a transitional period to work. Prior to Republic, Sandman spent eight years at Altadis U.S.A., where his most recent position was vice president of national accounts and sales development.

"We have been searching high and low for the right person to lead our sales team," Levin said. "Finally we found someone who knew the industry extremely well, and had a great track record with extensive sales and marketing experience. Steve will be a great addition to our growing company, and I know our people will like his management style."

Sandman will continue his role on the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) board, which began in 2004.

In other supplier news, Mark VII Equipment Inc. added two to its marketing team -- Ryan Beaty as business development manager for the investor market and Kevin Fairfield as product manager for tunnel and self-serve equipment.

Beaty has more than 13 years of sales, marketing and management experience. He comes to the position from Carson Oil, a Mark VII distributor, where he was the general manager.

Fairfield has more than 14 years of experience in engineering, product management and business development, which he earned at companies such companies as Navistar Intl. and Panduit Corp.

"Ryan and Kevin fill two key roles in this growing market segment," said Craig Campbell, vice president of strategic business and product development at Mark VII. "Ryan brings new energy and focus on the sales and marketing needs of operator-investors, while Kevin gives us an equal degree of energy and focus on two product lines at the core of our investor market offering. The addition of these two seasoned individuals ensures that Mark VII products and services are fine-tuned to meet the needs of this important segment."

Refrigeration system provider Master-Bilt will lose a valuable asset when Duane Stockburger, president of the company for the past 11 years, will retire effective June 30.

Stockburger has spent more than 44 years in the manufacturing industry, and served as president of Master-Bilt since 1996 and was promoted to vice president of Standex Food Service Group, Master-Bilt’s parent company, in 2003.

"Duane has been instrumental in Master-Bilt's success over the past decade. We are sad to see him leave," said Bill Huffman, vice president sales and marketing. "I have had the honor of working with Duane for the past 34 years and he is like family to everyone at Master-Bilt. He will be greatly missed."

Prior to joining Master-Bilt, he gained executive experience in the manufacturing sector. Stockburger came to Master-Bilt after 23 years at Varco-Pruden Buildings, a division of United Dominion Ind.

In other supplier people news, Lance Armstrong, cyclist and seven-time winner of the Tour de France, joined beverage and supplement manufacturer New Sun Nutrition’s board of directors. Armstrong will serve as a business adviser and outside board member, and will play a role in the company's marketing programs, including its print advertising campaigns.

"We are very pleased to welcome Lance Armstrong to the New Sun Nutrition family," said Richard Lamb, CEO at New Sun Nutrition. "Lance's unparalleled knowledge of sports conditioning and his focus on inspiring consumers to be active and healthy at any age will be an invaluable asset to the company."

In other supplier news, George Young, founder of ARMAC Inc., passed away Feb. 13. Young is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue, and his six children and 11 grandchildren.

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