Gourmet business Vermont Nut Free Chocolates hires new sales director
pic: Vermont Nut Free Chocolates
US-based Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, a gourmet confectionery specialist, has recently added to its ranks in appointing Ryan Emmons as its sales director, reports Neill Barston.
The business, which was first established in 1998, produces premium handmade treats developed for consumers with with peanut and tree nut allergies.
Its product line includes chocolate bars, chocolate covered pretzels, granola bars, truffles, caramels and novelty items, and its development comes at a period of expansion for speciality confectionery businesses serving nut free markets.
The company’s latest sales director brings a strong background in the consumer-packaged goods industry to the position and is based at the firm’s headquarters in Colchester, Vermont.
“Ryan is an excellent fit to join our team as we continue the work of expanding our retail presence in the marketplace through both our direct accounts and our distributor network,” said Mark Elvidge, CEO and Co-Founder of Vermont Nut Free Chocolates.
“As an industry veteran, Ryan (pictured below) brings over 20 years of sales and retailer relationships to this role, and we are eager to see the impact his knowledge of the industry will have on our sales team and within our growing company.”
Ryan most recently led sales at Vermont Coffee Company, where he increased revenue by more than three times over a seven-year span. Prior to that, Ryan held sales management positions at Vermont-based companies such as Keurig Green Mountain, Pepsi Beverages Company, and various roles at Ben & Jerry’s Homemade.
Outside of work, Ryan is active in the community and passionate about fighting hunger and food insecurity within the State. He has led many fundraising programs to support the Vermont Foodbank and other local not-for-profit organisations.
“It has been a passion of mine to support Vermont-based businesses for as long as I can remember, and I am eager to continue this by working with a brand founded by a local family with a meaningful story to tell,” shared Emmons. “I am looking forward to bolstering the company’s strategic retail expansion leveraging its large catalogue of products.”
