Dave Tucci

Class of 2005

Dave was born August 22, 1953 in St. Paul, MN. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in public health education from Winona State University.

In 1976, he married Marilyn and they have a daughter and a son, Angela and David. The same year, he was hired as a territory sales representative for E.J. Brach & Sons and in 1979 was promoted to key account manager. In 1984, he moved on to manage the candy department at Gordon Fleming & Associates and became an executive vice-president in 1987. He was named president of Excel Marketing in the early 1990s.

After seeing a need to bolster representation in the Minnesota and Dakota markets, Dave and three partners formed Key Sales Group in 1993. At the time of his induction he served as president of the brokerage.

Advising others who would follow in his path, Dave says, “There is no substitute for hard work, following your dreams and good luck. It’s okay to get lucky, just make sure you’re thankful for it!”

From one of Key’s most important customers, Target Corp., Dave has received a Vendor Award of Excellence, and he has also been recognized with a Friend of the Industry Award from the Minnesota Wholesale Marketers Association.

He reckons the best part about working in the candy business is that “Everyone likes candy! It’s rare that you make a call, pull out samples and not find a receptive face.”

At the time of his induction, Dave served on the National Confectioners Association’s board of trustees, the NCA Brokers Advisory Committee and is chairman of the board for Consolidated Sales Network, the national broker association he co-founded in 2000. He is a former director and coach for youth baseball, and an active supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.