Ryan Gomes

Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate has appointed Ryan Gomes as its new East Coast sales manager.

Gomes has an extensive background in both natural and conventional foods segments, bringing past work experience from organic food distributor UNFI and New England supermarket chain Shaw’s Supermarkets. Most recently, he served as an account executive for natural products brokerage company Presence Marketing.

“We feel confident that Gomes’ expertise in the natural foods category will continue our successful growth strategy and continue to develop brand awareness,” says Curt Vander Meer, Endangered Species Chocolate’s ceo.

In addition to hiring Gomes, the company recently added two employees to its production department and purchased a new label wrapping machine to help meet growing demands for its chocolate.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in the past two years and we’re hopeful that this growth continues so that we can not only expand our brand but also broaden support for our 10% GiveBack partners,” says Vander Meer.

The company donates 10 percent of its net profits to fund species and habitat conservation. As a top-selling brand in the natural foods category, Endangered Species Chocolate offers more than 30 different confectionery products.