National Confectioners Association moves to promote core management team

A major raft of internal promotions has been confirmed by the National Confectioners Association, as it moves to respond to fast-evolving conditions across the industry, writes Neill Barston.

Among the key appointments, Brian McKeon (main image) has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, and Christopher Gindlesperger (below). is named Executive Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications.

As the Key US organisation noted, the pair are set to play an expanded role in advancing NCA’s thought leadership agenda related to policy and strategic communications, as it continues to represent the sweets and snacks sector at national level in Washington DC.

Moreover, as Confectionery Production reported at the recent State of the Industry Conference in Orlando, notable tests have emerged in the past year amid national policy regarding public health, which has resulted in varying state legislation, which the NCA has continued to call for universal federal frameworks to ensure ease of trade across the region. These issues will be core among the the organisation’s management priorities.

The trade group has stated its firm intention to continue working with the national government on core policy matter, as well as engaging with the US-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in stressing responsible enjoyment of confectionery through its ongoing ‘Always A Treat Campaign,’ and additionally, this year, with the Sweet Land of Liberty promotional activity, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.  (catch our video review of the event below).

Significantly, the NCA has also revealed several other key promotions, including Steve McCroddan (below) who has now become Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer.

Meanwhile, Sarah Atkinson is now Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Industry Engagement,  Susan Whiteside has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, and  Jennifer Gardner has been promoted to Vice President of State Government Affairs.

Sarah Atkinson (above),  is among those gaining promotion at the NCA, and has started a new role as chief of staff and senior VP of industry engagement Pics: NCA

Jennifer Gardner (above)  is now the VP of state government affairs at the NCA.

Susan (above) is now VP of marketing and communications at the NCA.

As John Downs, president and CEO of the NCA noted, these combined promotions will help drive a critical strategic transformation of the organisation to meet the rapidly changing business, political, policy, and communications environment.

Significantly, he and his senior leadership team have built a strong advocacy brand identity for NCA in Washington, D.C., over the last decade, which has placed a number of key topics in the spotlight, including the need for supporting sugar producers in the region, and for unifying core legislation linked to the industry.

John Downs, CEO and president of the NCA, opens this year’s State of the Industry Conference in Orlando, Florida. Pic: Neill Barston

John Downs enthused: “These promotions reflect the strength of NCA’s leadership team and our continued focus on delivering results for a dynamic and growing industry,” Downs said. “With deep expertise across policy, government affairs, communications, marketing, and organidational leadership, Brian, Christopher, Steve, Sarah, Susan, and Jennifer have each played a critical role in shaping the modern NCA, and their collaborative leadership will continue to strengthen our advocacy, elevate our voice, and position NCA for the future.”

Key achievements
As the NCA observed, Brian McKeon, has attained much during his tenure leading its public policy efforts for five years, overseeing federal, state, and regulatory advocacy on behalf of the confectionery industry.

The group noted he has been instrumental in strengthening relationships with policymakers and overseeing and executing precision advocacy strategies that deliver high impact results.  In his new role, McKeon will expand his portfolio to include oversight of NCA’s scientific and regulatory affairs function while continuing to advance the association’s policy leadership amid an increasingly complex legislative and regulatory environment.

For his part, Christopher Gindlesperger, has now spent 11 years leading the association’s public affairs and communications strategy, providing key responses to a number of core policy issues that have arisen over the past decade.

As Senior Vice President, he worked closely with member companies and brands to enhance the industry’s reputation and elevate awareness of NCA’s policy priorities through strategic communications, media engagement, consumer education, and several award-winning campaigns. Under his leadership, NCA continues to differentiate chocolate and candy from other foods through the Always A Treat initiative.

As Executive Vice President, he will further integrate strategic communications with policy and member company engagement to further unlock organisational efficiencies and industry impact.

The team is presently planning its next major engagement with the sector, which will be seen at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, which travels to Las Vegas between 19-21 May.