2022 Candy Hall of Fame to honor 12 confectionery leaders

The 2022 Candy Hall of Fame will induct 12 industry leaders this year.

Registration is now open for the event, which is slated to take place Oct. 14-16 in Tampa, Florida.

The Candy Hall of Fame weekend, which is run by the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA), features a welcome reception on Friday, Oct. 14, followed by the induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 15. The ceremony includes a gala dinner and presentations highlighting the honorees’ professional and personal lives. It concludes on Sunday, Oct. 16, with a farewell breakfast.

The 2022 Candy Hall of Fame inductees are:

Doug Boes

Shankman & Associates, Inc.

Doug Boes has been part of the industry for 51 years. He started as a broker when he was 21 years old and at 32 became an owner of Wolverine Associates, which would ultimately become part of Shankman & Associates in 2010, where he currently serves as the Senior Vice-President of Sales. Boes has guided and mentored buyers, manufacturers and coworkers in the Michigan market, dedicating his entire career to this industry.

Jennifer Dilts

Dollar General Corp.

Jennifer Dilts, Senior Director of Merchandising at Dollar General, has been a strong leader for many years and has dedicated herself to the development of the industry. She proved her leadership skills in preparing Dollar General stores for post-pandemic shoppers, has stepped up to mentor women she works with and has given countless hours back to her community through programs including Habitat for Humanity.

Peter Greweling

Culinary Institute of America

Peter Greweling has more than 30 years as an educator at The Culinary Institute of America. During his time there, he has taught more than 8,000 students. For 20 years, Greweling taught the Chocolate & Confectionery Technology and Techniques class that he wrote himself, instructing more than 5,000 young professionals in the science and techniques of candymaking.

Jeff Grossman

YummyEarth, Inc.

Jeff Grossman has held the title of Vice-President and Director of Sales in the candy industry for more than 37 years. Currently, Grossman is Vice-President of Sales and Brand Development at YummyEarth, and he previously worked for Ford Gum & Machine Co., Inc. and Imaginings 3, Inc. In his current role, Grossman travels worldwide looking for ways to develop better-for-you candy and environmentally friendly packaging.

Dwayne Hallan

Long Grove Confectionery Co.

Dwayne Hallan began his career in 1978 at Long Grove Confectionery as a maintenance technician, where he learned the ins and outs of the chocolate industry. Hallan worked his way up in the company and has served as the Director of Operations for the past 20 years. He oversees day-to-day operations, including production, purchasing, sales, shipping and receiving, human resources, retail operations, and championing the research and development department.

Terri Hoggatt

Jelly Belly Candy Co.

Terri Hoggatt has been in the candy industry for nearly 30 years and has worn many hats. Her retail background and sales and production experience have been an asset to any team she works on. Hoggatt recently assumed the role of Director of Specialty Sales for Jelly Belly and guided her team through the harsh reality of COVID-19, supply chain issues and tight production capabilities.

Mark McArdle

McArdle, Inc.

Mark McArdle has been involved in the confectionery industry since 1963, working for his father at their family business – McArdle Brokerage. Over the years, Mark grew the brokerage, representing many candy and specialty food lines, including becoming the first importer of Swedish Fish. Today, he is still very involved with specific projects and customers, including Trader Joe's and the five major Hispanic market chains.

Troy Pearley

Divine Chocolate Ltd.

Troy Pearley, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of North America for Divine Chocolate, has dedicated more than two decades to the confectionery industry. During the past 10 years, he has established Divine's Mass Channel business, managed its broker network, and built a culture of accountability and performance, with a startup mentality. His prior decade at companies including Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. and Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. gave him the experience to transform Divine's social enterprise into a globally recognized brand.

Stacey Rutherford

Burdette Beckmann Inc.

Stacy Rutherford serves as National Account Manager of Burdette Beckmann and has been the face of BBI at Family Dollar during the past 20 years, building an impressive business and an excellent reputation. Rutherford has also been a leader in industry participation, serving on many NCA committees.

Edward Seibolt

Fannie May Confections/Ferrero

Edward Seibolt has dedicated more than 20 years to a career in candy, including special efforts in promoting confectionery products on QVC and leading the NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo during a global pandemic. Seibolt currently serves as the Vice-President of Sales and Business Development, where he is responsible for the Fannie May Confections wholesale business.

Paul Adams and Emmert Brooks

Adams & Brooks, Inc., who are being inducted posthumously

Paul Adams and Emmert Brooks, founders of Adam & Brooks, Inc., went into business together after discovering Paul's exceptional sales skills and Emmert's knack for the science behind candymaking. They caught the eye of Walt Disney, and he asked them to manage all the concessions in the theme park he was opening in Anaheim, California. Their business took off, and the two founded their wholesale company, Adams & Brooks.

Nominating criteria

In order to be nominated for the Candy Hall of Fame, nominees need to meet the criteria below. However, a nomination does not guarantee induction.

Twenty years of service to the confectionery industry (buyers must have at least 10 years of experience) and 50 years of age at the time of nomination.
Demonstrated loyalty to building and supporting the confectionery industry through active participation over and above job requirements.
Significant contributions to the educational and/or professional development of the industry and its initiatives and programs.
Must attend the Candy Hall of Fame Induction event (unless it is a posthumous induction).
Unimpeachable record of integrity and respect.
A current NCSA member. Membership Form
If retired or deceased, nomination must be within two (2) years of either event.

“This year, we are welcoming an extraordinary, diverse group of members into our Candy Hall of Fame,” said Mark Lozano, Chairman of the NCSA. “We are looking forward to a memorable evening of celebrating and honoring their contributions to the industry we are all so fond of.”

Each inductee will receive a Candy Hall of Fame plaque and pin at the ceremony to commemorate their induction.

Attendees who register by Sept. 2 can take advantage of Early Bird rates. For more information and to register for this year's event, visit the Candy Hall of Fame website.