The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has elected three confectionery industry leaders to its board of directors: Cody Heinz with Bell Flavors & Fragrances joins the board for the first time; Peter Kempton, Jr., of b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, has been re-elected for a second three-year term; and Brandon Sagotz from Ferrara Candy Co. returns after completing his previous three-year term in 2023. 

“We are honored to welcome these three outstanding leaders to the NCSA board of directors,” says Byard Ebling, NCSA president. “Each of them brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to advancing the confectionery industry. We look forward to having their expertise to help guide our association and support the growth of the confectionery community.”

Cody Heinz is the VP of flavor sales at Bell Flavors & Fragrances, where he began as an intern and has since spent more than 13 years advancing through roles, including national accounts manager and director of sales. He is also heavily involved with industry organizations, such as the National Confectioners Association (NCA), where he was an inaugural member of the Young Professionals Network Committee in 2014 and was named to the 2024 Future Leaders Class. Heinz has contributed to the NCSA Kettle Committee for the past five years, chaired the 2025 Western Candy Conference, and serves on the boards of the Chicago Candy Production Club and the Flavor Extracts Manufacturers Association. He earned his undergraduate degree in kinesiology and health from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and his Master of Business Administration from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, IL.

Peter Kempton, Jr. serves as president of b.a. Sweetie Candy Company, a position he assumed in January 2024. Previously, he spent 14 years at TravelCenters of America as senior buyer, where he was one of the first retailers to launch National Candy Month in June of 2020. Kempton received the 2021 Confectionery Leadership Award from the NCA and Candy & Snack TODAY, and in 2022, he became the first retailer ever appointed to the NCSA board of directors. 

Brandon Sagotz is the director of merchandising marketing and industry relations for Ferrara Candy Co., where he oversees major trade shows, industry relations, merchandising commercialization and retail execution. With 22 years of experience in the CPG industry, 19 of which are in confectionery, Sagotz has served two terms on the NCSA board of directors (2018-2023) and holds seats on several industry committees, including NACS and multiple NCA committees. Before joining Ferrara, he held roles in marketing, analytics, and merchandising at Mars Wrigley and began his career at Kellogg’s as a credit analyst. Sagotz earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing and economics from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, and his Master of Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Lisle, IL.

The following individuals will continue serving on the NCSA board of directors: Steve Casey, Melville Candy Co.; Brent Cotten, The Hershey Company; Mike Gilroy, Mars Wrigley; Scott Miller, Spangler Candy Company; and Stacey Rutherford, Burdette Beckmann Inc (BBI).

Individuals leaving the NCSA board of directors are Carol Gherlarducci with Adams & Brooks, Inc., Terri Hoggatt with Jelly Belly Candy Co., and Mike Mosto with C.A. Confectionery. The NCSA thanks these experts for their continued efforts in driving the success of the NCSA, the Candy Hall of Fame, and The Kettle Awards. 

In addition to the board members, the NCSA welcomes back its executive leadership team – Chairman Shelly Clarey, President Byard Ebling, Vice President Audra Vogler, Ex-Officio Chairman Joe Melville, Secretary Mary Beth Lane, Treasurer Michael Sitarz, and Executive Director Teresa Tarantino. NCSA Manufacturer Advisory Council Chairman Stuart Selarnick returns, along with its members John Brooks, Jr., Mitchell Goetze, Michael Rosenberg, and David Shaffer. 

Related: NCSA searches for 2026 Candy Hall of Fame inductees