Richard A. LaRue

Class of 2006

Rick was born in Worcester, MA, on October 23, 1954. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a master’s in business from Webster University in St. Louis. He served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard for eight years.

Rick married Sandy in 1977, and they have two children, Daniel and Michelle. In 1984, he entered the candy business as a territory sales representative with American Chicle Group. He was named manager of planogram services for the eastern region within three years.

From 1990 to 1994, Rick worked on the McLane/Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club team. He also helped launch three new Italian candy items and trained Italian sales representatives. In 1994, he joined Goetze’s Candy Co., Inc. as a regional sales manager and eventually assumed the national sales manager position.

Rick retired in 2006, and at the time of his induction was working at Sandamiri and Associates, LLC, a confectionery consultancy he founded.

His experience leads him to advise clients against promising anything they cannot deliver. He says: Your reputation will determine your career in the confectionery industry.

Throughout his career, Rick served on NACS, AWMA and NCA industry committees, and has also lectured at various colleges.

With his captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard, Rick spends a lot of