Thomas “Tom” Scheiman

Class of 2009

Thomas “Tom” Scheiman began his candy career at distributor Ace Tobacco and Candy Co. in Solon, OH, while attending R.B. Chamberline High School in Twinsburg, OH. He worked his way up from being a floor sweeper to general manager. Tom was born in Cleveland, OH, on February 12, 1955, and married Judi in 1974. He says the proudest moment of his career was in 1982, when he and Judi purchased a small Cleveland wholesale company named Bag-A-Sweet Candy Co. After 15 years, he changed the name of the company to B.A. Sweetie Candy Co. and relocated to a 12,000-square-foot facility on Cleveland’s west side. The company currently features a small retail store, a large warehouse for wholesale needs and an online store. His wife, daughter Dawn and son-in-law Mike work alongside him, and his son Joe designs the company’s brochures and vehicle fleet graphics. Tom is currently a member of the Ohio Grocers Association, Ohio Wholesale Marketers Association, the NCSA and the NCA. He was named Distributor of the Year by the National Candy Wholesalers Association in 1988, earned Professional Candy Buyer magazine’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2002 and was Man of the Year in 1985 for the Northeast Ohio Candy and Tobacco Association. Support from his family and friends has been key to his success, he says, also pointing to 1993 Hall of Famer Eddie Katovsky of Kaye & Silver Brokerage, who told him to “stack it high and watch it fly,” and 1983 Hall of Famer Dick Antonucci, of Antonucci Brokerage, who taught him he must pay to play — “give away any brand of candy bar to anyone and you will have a customer for life.” Tom’s colleagues say his passion for the industry is unmatched. “Tom’s love for candy and the people in the industry makes it a pleasure to do business with him,” says one. Tom’s business philosophy is to let customers decide what stays on the shelves. He supports charitable organizations such as the St. Augustine Hunger Center, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, and the Animal Humane Society. His hobbies include driving and showing his 1970 AMC pro street pick-up truck at local car shows and collecting toy trucks and cars with candy or snack logos.