Russell J. Crosio

Class of 2010

Russell J. Crosio was born November 15, 1950, in Cambridge, MA, to Frank and Theresa. He has two siblings, Rosemarie and John. Russ graduated from Rindge Technical School, in Cambridge, before attending Rider University, in Lawrenceville, NJ.

He then joined the Army, serving with the 4th Infantry Division, the 101st Airborne, and the 1st Infantry Division. A Vietnam veteran, he earned the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star with valor.

In 1973, Russ married Stephanie at the Greek Orthodox Church, in Cambridge. They have two daughters, Stacey and Nicole.

Russ began his 33-year candy industry career in 1977, when he joined packaging company Weldotron, Inc. as a sales associate/manager. After six years, he moved on to Enprotech Corp. serving as vice-president of sales until 1988, when he became sales manager for packaging equipment at APV Baker. In 1993, Russ moved to Rovema Packaging USA as vice-president of sales, before leaving for Southern Packaging Machinery in 1998, serving as its vice-president of sales.

Since 2001, Russ has been president of Crosio & Associates, Inc., a packaging and machinery consulting firm.

During his career, Russ has been an active member of the National Confectioners Association, Pennsylvania Manufacturing Confectioners Association, American Association of Candy Technologists, Western Candy Conference and Retail Confectioners International.

He has served on the Kettle Committee and the NCA Supplier Advisory Committee. He was on the exploratory committee for the first All Candy Expo, and was as co-chairman of its Supplier Committee in 1997.

During his career, Russ was recognized by Weldotron with a Sales Achievement Award for closing the largest single order ever placed with the company for $1.4 million. Russ also earned honors from the NCA in 1996 for his support of the confectionery industry.

Outside of his professional duties, Russ has been a board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, in Gwinnett County, GA, since 2007. As a Rotarian, he has supported a shelter for victims of domestic abuse, the Salvation Army and Annandale Village, which serves the developmentally disadvantaged.