During the American Association of Candy Technologists’ (AACT) National Technical Conference being held Sept.19-21 at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook, Ill., the organization presented Randy Hofberger of R&D Candy Consultants the 2016 Stroud Jordan award.

Marlene Stauffer, director of quality assurance and regulatory compliance at Blommer Chocolate Co. and last year’s Stroud Jordan recipient, presented Hofberger with the medallion featuring the image of Stroud Jordan, a renowned confectionery scientist and co-founder of the AACT.

Each year since 1951, the AACT has presented the award to someone in the industry who’s contributed significantly in the areas of education, organization or research.

Calling Hofberger one of the “humble leaders” within the confectionery industry who has a “heart of gold,” Stauffer cited his 30-plus years of commitment to the profession.

Upon receiving the award, Hofberger remarked that throughout the 37 years he’s spent in the confectionery industry, it was clear that there were always individuals "willing to give of themselves and help others." He added that it’s part of the confectionery culture whereby "we all want others to succeed."

Like Stauffer, Hofberger grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Fremont, Wis. He earned his Bachelors of Science from the University of Wisconsin - Riverfalls. Upon joining the Ward-Johnston Co. in 1979, he went on to complete his Masters of Science in food science at the University of Illinois.

In 1984 Hofberger went to work for Nestlé USA as assistant quality assurance manager and chocolate technology manager for Peter’s Chocolate; he later became a project manager in technical applications for Nestlé.

Hofberger left the company in September 2008 to launch R&D Candy Consultants, LLC, continuing his active involvement in the industry through a variety of associations and educational programs.

A member of the American Association of Candy Technologists since 1980 — he served as president and first and second vice-president of the Milwaukee chapter and the national association — Hofberger also served as an instructor for the Gus Pulakos Candy School and led Chocolate Boot Camp.

He’s also been an instructor at the Candy School and its functional confections course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hofberger has lectured at the Phil National Candy Show and PMCA. 

A longtime member of Retail Confectioners International, the organization presented him with the Henry J. Bornhofft Award in 2009. In 2014, Hofberger was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.