Hy Levin

Class of 2000

Hy Levin was born in December, 1922, in Chicago, IL. After graduating from Lake view High School, he attended Northwestern University until the outbreak of World War II when he joined the Air Force, serving as a sergeant at the headquarters of the 39th Air Depot Group at Alaska’s Elmendorf Field. In 1942, he married Martha. During their 46 years together and until her death in 1988, Hy and Martha raised three children: Vicki, Steven and Randy. Today, Steven and Randy work alongside Hy, having joined their father’s brokerage in 1990.

Hy’s first exposure to the food industry was in 1937 when he worked as a stock boy and clerk at National T Food Stores in Chicago. Following his discharge from the military, he entered the insurance industry until returning to the food industry in 1956 when he joined the Carnation Co.

In 1958, Hy entered the candy industry, spending the next 10 years with Supreme Distributors, a candy and tobacco distribution company until joining his brother David in the David Levin Brokerage. In 1970 the company became the Hy Levin Brokerage which he served as CEO at the time of his induction.

Hy has been honored many times throughout his career, being named an NCWA Candy Ambassador in 1973, the New Mexico Candy and Tobacco Assoc. Broker of the Year in 1988 and 1991 and Distribution Channels’ 1993 Trend Setter Broker of the Year. Hy also served as co-chair of the 1976 NCWA convention and chairman of the 1982 Arizona Candy and Tobacco Assoc. convention. Hy was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2000.

Of his 52 years in the candy industry, Hy believes the most important advice he can pass on is the importance of maintaining strong relationships with customers. In the face of continual industry change, Hy believes maintaining continuity and sharing information with manufacturers and accounts are critical for success.

Hy passed away May 16, 2014.