Reginald J. Groves

Class of 2010

A scientist, teacher and technical consultant, English-born Reginald J. Groves says coming to America to work was the most memorable experience of his career.

Reg was born in London, on February 10, 1931, to Albert and Elsie. He went to Leeds Modern School, in Yorkshire, before being drafted for national service in the Royal Air Force from 1949 to 1951 as a senior aircraftman, serving as an aero engine mechanic, mainly at RAF Tangmere fighter base in Sussex.

Following his military service, Reg attended Borough Polytechnic, a division of London University. There, he earned honors in Cocoa, Chocolate & Candy Technology from the City and Guilds of London Institute.

He began working at Clarnico-Murray, Ltd., in London, as a trainee production manager, which marked the start of his 58-year career in the candy industry. In 1953 he transferred through the company to Dublin, Ireland, becoming a manager trainee, then moved to plant manager before leaving in 1970 for Knechtel Laboratories, in Chicago, taking a senior vice-president/consultant position.

In 1985, he founded Groves & Co., a technical consulting service working with confectionery manufacturers and suppliers.

He says his excellent education and hands-on training contributed greatly to his success, with experience in Ireland paving the way for him to work in the U.S. and many other countries as a technical consultant and teacher.

Reg is a sought-after instructor of technical courses, and for the past 30 years has made presentations at meetings for industry trade associations including the National Confectioners Association, Pennsylvania Manufacturing Confectioners Association and Retail Confectioners International. He has authored more than 30 technical articles and penned the Confectionery Workshop technical column in Candy Industry magazine for 12 years.

In 1983, he was given the NCA’s Research and Education Award. He received the American Association of Candy Technologists’ Stroud Jordan Award in 1996 and RCI’s Henry J. Bornhofft Award for teaching in 2006.

He says Candy Hall of Famer Terry Richardson and Herb Knechtel had significant influences on his career, as well as his wife, Patricia, who is his best friend and business partner. Reg has been married to Patricia since 1988. Together they have four children: Nigel, Mark, Christie and Bethany.