Born on November 24, 1967 in Park Ridge, IL, candy was always in the cards for Audra Vogler. Her grandfather, Gene Vogler, along with Sydney Hoffmann established the Hoffmann Vogler Brokerage Firm in 1952. She recalls always being surrounded by candy as a child, and knew she wanted to be like her father and sell […]
Born on May 23, 1963, in Barking, Essex in England, Graham Nice loves the people, the products and the happiness that make up the confectionery industry. Studying chemical engineering at the University of Salford in Manchester, England, his first job in the category came in 1985 as an Inside Sales Representative for chocolate and candy […]
Tim LeBel loves that the candy industry produces moments that make the world smile. Born on March 7, 1967, in Nashua, New Hampshire, Tim credits his parents for molding him into the person he is today. A 1985 graduate of Alvirne High School in Hudson, New Hampshire, Tim attended Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in […]
Maureen Keenan will tell you the phenomenal people are what make the confectionery industry so much fun. Born December 22, 1966 to John and Maureen Sullivan in Providence, Rhode Island, Maureen is a lifelong New Englander. Graduating from Cranston High School East in 1984, she stayed close to home and attended Providence College. Her tenure […]
A first generation immigrant, David Han was born in Seoul, South Korea on August 1, 1955 to Tal and Kye Han. Like many immigrants, David and his family moved to the U.S. to achieve the American Dream. He emigrated from South Korea to the Baltimore area in 1972 when he was 17. He received a […]
Jerry Hagedorn’s love of math is what led him to the candy industry. The youngest of seven children, he was born on April 29, 1959 to Thomas and Katherine. His father passed away when he was two, leaving his mother to raise him and his six siblings. Inspired by a CPA office on his paper […]
Frank Amato could easily be considered the candy industry’s Mr. Worldwide. Born on March 19, 1961, his food industry started early with a high school job at Alpha Beta supermarkets. Working full-time while supporting himself through college, he moved up the ranks at the grocery chain, eventually becoming Manager of the Grocery and General Merchandise […]
Brent Cotten was born on March 17, 1969 in Nashville, to Joyce and Buddy Reed. He credits his work ethic to his parents and it was noticeable early on as he was the state Vice-President for the Distributive Education Club of America. It was this experience that inspired his passion for sales and marketing. Working […]
Pat Collins is the definition of a candy industry frontierswoman. Born on June 16, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, she is one of six children. She learned the benefits of a strong work ethic early on in life from both her parents. Her father, a World War II veteran, was a truck driver, volunteer fireman, […]
Katherine Clark’s has dreamt of working in the confectionery industry since high school. Born on May 18, 1966, she learned of having a strong work ethic, love for one another, and never ending support and encouragement from her parents. Her love of the category stemmed from stopping at bulk candy stores in high school and […]