Ed Wilson

Class of 2008

A native of Philadelphia, Ed was born June 26, 1950. He studied cooking at Dobbins Technical High School, then attended the College of Philadelphia and Glassboro State College, earning his degree in industrial management.

Ed also spent four years as a seaman in the U.S. Coast Guard. He and Kathy, whom he married in June 1973, have one daughter, Shelby.

He started in the industry as a warehouse manager at U.S. Cocoa Corp. in 1979, moving on to production supervisor and eventually production manager of chocolate and compound operations.

In 1992, Ed joined Aarhus, Inc. as a technical service representative and then went into technical sales. He has since moved up to vice-president of sales and marketing of AarhusKarlshamn USA, Inc.

Looking back at his career, Ed attributes his success to his thorough involvement in the industry. He says his participation with organizations such as the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Confectioners Association, the American Association of Candy Technologists and the National Confectioners Association have greatly benefited him. He urges others to get involved with these organizations and to learn every aspect of the business.

Ed was acknowledged for his contributions to the industry in 2007 when he received the AACT Stroud Jordan Award. He has given back to the confectionery business, instructing at AACT Chicago Section’s chocolate school and Texas A&M, and has also lectured on behalf of the American Oil Chemists Society in Indonesia on palm and lauric oils.

He has served on the Supplier Advisory Committee of the NCA and is a member of the Kettle Award committee.

He recognizes Ed Smith, Russ McNeil and Mary Petkus, of Barry Callebaut, who encouraged him to learn more about the chocolate industry. At Aarhus, John Pease was integral in letting Ed develop a program that would make the company a major player in the confectionery industry.

Away from work, Ed enjoys fishing, boating and snorkeling.