Sam Trezza

Class of 2003

Born in Morristown, NJ, on June 4, 1954, Sam grew up in Madison, NJ. He attended County College of Morris, and launched his career as assistant controller for a division of American Brands, progressing in 1975 to assistant product manager of the company’s American Cigar division.

In 1980, Sam moved on to R.L. Albert & Sons, Inc. as national sales manager, where he established national distribution of the company’s line. Three years later, he took responsibility for national sales at Cella’s Confections, Inc.

He married Janet in 1985 and the same year joined Murray Allen International, a division of Richter Bros., Inc., as vice-president of sales. There he introduced Ricola Natural Herb cough drops to the mass market.

In 1987, Sam joined Reed Candy Co. as vice-president of sales and marketing. When Reed was sold to Amurol Confections Co. in 1989, Sam formed D.C. Sales Co., Inc., a New York brokerage. In 1995, with his partner Tony Cognetti, Sam sold D.C. Sales to M.W. Houck, Inc., and joined Ricola USA, Inc. as sales manager. He was subsequently named national sales manager and became vice-president of the company in 1999.

On August 18, 2000, Sam died following a swimming accident in Hawaii. He is survived by his wife Janet, and their children Katherine and Michael.

During his career, Sam served as president of the NCSA and on the board of the NCWA Young Executives Division. He was also active in the National Association of Tobacco Distributors, the American Management Association, the Sales Executive Club of New York, and the New York Candy Club.