Mary Beth Geraci

Class of 2017

Mary Beth Geraci was born in Sheboygan, WI, on April 21, 1964. Her parents, Judy and Doug Born, were both teachers and instilled in her a passion for lifelong learning. She says she is grateful for the wonderful life they gave her and her sister, Jennifer Rutten.

Mary Beth attended Sheboygan North High School and University of Wisconsin whitewater graduating in 1985, with dual Bachelor degrees in Spanish and Business Marketing and a minor in International Economics. Having been a student in Colombia while in high school and speaking fluent Spanish, Mary Beth had thought she wanted to work in the State Department or an embassy.

However, after working with Leaf Candy as a Retail Supervisor for two years after graduating, she said the amazing and friendly people in the confectionery industry were what made her stay.

In 1989, she formed Geraci & Assoc., Inc. with her husband, Frank Geraci. After his untimely death, Mary Beth continued to lead their brokerage business until eventually selling it and joining Carlin Group as Managing Partner in 2011. Mary Beth says she was overwhelmed by the number of people from every corner of the industry who reached out to her after the loss of Frank and says: “I knew right then and there what an amazing industry this is.”

Following her belief that it is important to give back early and often, Mary Beth is a particularly active NCA member serving as the Chair for the Broker Advisory Committee for nine years, on the Expo Committee for nine years; State of the Industry Conference Committee for eight years, and the Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2017. In addition, she was on the Board of the NCSA from 2010 to 2016 and is currently Secretary. Mary Beth’s passion for education has led her to serve The Confectionery Foundation as a mentor to young professionals in the industry. She also was one of four founding committee members of the NCA women’s Leadership Group.

She has spent equal time supporting the NCA CandyPAC and participating in market lobbying activities to support the industry. Mary Beth’s business honors include the Just Born, Inc. Peeps award in 2011, and the Atkinson Candy Co. A Cut Above Award in 2016.

In her hometown of Milwaukee, she has served on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Public Museum for five years and is still active with the museum as well as serving on the Milwaukee Historic watertower Neighborhood Trust since 2002. She volunteered for the National kidney Foundation, and, not surprising to anyone her knows her, with the Humane Society.

Mary Beth loves travel, sailing, flying, indulging her pets and spending quality time with family and friends.