People on the Move

JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Twelve industry veterans have joined the Candy Hall of Fame, administered by the National Confectionery Sales Association, which annually recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the global confectionery industry.

More than 300 industry peers, family and friends attended the black-tie event as the following inductees were welcomed into the Candy Hall of Fame: Basil Atkinson, MD, of Judson-Atkinson Candies Inc.; Harry Callie of Callie's Candy Kitchen Inc.; Chris Chase of Integrity/ESM; Andy Gromen of Pearson Candy Co.; Lee Hartman of Printpack Inc.; Solange Isidoro of Embaré Industrias Alimenticias S.A.; Steven Marcanello of Asher's Chocolates; Linda Sahagian of Sahagian & Associates Inc.; Joan Sweeting of The Madelaine Chocolate Co.; Michael Vann of Storck USA L.P.; Bill Walker of McLane Co. Inc., and John Wynn of Eisman-Gleit Four Star LLC.

In addition, John Molyneux, formerly of Callard & Bowser-Suchard Inc., and Samuel Altshuler, founder of Annabelle Candy Co., were posthumously inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame during the ceremonial induction banquet.

In other people news:

Promotion In Motion
Promotion In Motion (PIM) recently welcomed four new executives.

Charlean Gmunder joined as vice president of manufacturing and will oversee all manufacturing operations, focusing on the Somerset manufacturing facility and the company's forthcoming allergen facility expansion. For the past three years, Gmunder has served as vice president, operations, for Premio Foods. Prior to that, she served as vice president, global logistics, for National Starch. Gmunder's career includes 21 years working for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., culminating in her position as president of the L.A. Dreyfus Co., a wholly owned subsidiary responsible for global gum base operations. She is HACCP-certified, a certified SQF Expert, a Six Sigma Green Belt and has been a member of the Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Keith Von Zup joined PIM as vice president of sales for national accounts. In this new role, Von Zup will spearhead the company's growth efforts with select major U.S. national accounts, including Kroger, Meijer, Trader Joe's and Aldi. He will also manage the company's fast-growing grocery business in the mid-nation states. Von Zup has over 25 years of experience in sales roles with major confectionary companies. Previously, he was in sales with Just Born, and prior to that, had 20 years of experience with M&M/Mars.

Paul Klutes has joined PIM as vice president of sales for national accounts. Klutes will be responsible for targeting growth efforts with major national accounts in the United States. In addition, he'll lead sales efforts on the entire PIM portfolio in Canada. Klutes' vast sales and marketing experience includes more than 25 years with both large- and small-sized companies, including Coca-Cola, Veryfine, Welch's and most recently, at CH Robinson, a large logistics/produce supply company. His latest experience included responsibility for branded produce items at CHR, including Welch's Fresh Grapes and Mott's Apples and Apple Slices.

David Fleischer is PIM's new vice president of trade relations. In his new role, Fleischer will have primary responsibility for managing relationships with key industry and trade groups, including the National Confectioners Association (NCA), National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the vending trade group NAMA, the wholesalers trade group AWMA, as well as other influential groups. In addition, Fleischer will be the primary player in trade show exhibitions throughout the year. His responsibilities will include devising and refining trade strategy and programs, as well as customer-specific strategies to increase sales and importance with key customers in all trade channels. Fleischer has more than 30 years of sales experience in the candy and confectionary industry. His extensive background includes positions with Adams, Cadbury and most recently, Kraft Foods.

Balance Bar Co.
Peter B. Wilson, Jr. was named president and CEO of the Balance Bar Co., one of America's original nutrition/energy bar makers, which was acquired by private equity group Brynwood Partners in 2009.

As former COO of DeMets Candy Co., another Brynwood Partners company, Wilson greatly improved the company's operations, customer relations and manufacturing output of its popular treats: Turtles, Flipz, Treasures and TrueNorth.

Prior to his association with Brynwood Partners, Wilson held various marketing, operations and general management roles with International Paper, Quebecor World and Scott Paper.