HERSHEY, Pa., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Richard H. Lenny,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company
(NYSE: HSY) today announced that Bert Alfonso, Vice President, Finance and
Planning, North American Commercial Group, has been named Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Alfonso will report
to Lenny.
"Bert's nearly 25 years of financial leadership and his record of
accomplishment made him the clear choice after an extensive internal and
external search," Lenny said. "Over the past year, Bert has developed an
excellent team and further strengthened Hershey's financial insight, analysis
and sales planning capabilities. Bert's knowledge of the confectionery
industry and deep international experience will be crucial as we expand
Hershey's North American leadership position and accelerate growth in high-
potential global markets. Bert will also build upon Hershey's relationships
with the financial community and maintain our strong control environment."
Alfonso joined Hershey in July 2006 as Vice President, Finance and
Planning, U.S. Commercial Group from Cadbury Schweppes, where he was Executive
Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Americas Beverages. He led
all finance and information technology functions for the United States,
Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region.
Alfonso joined Cadbury Schweppes in 2003 as Vice President Finance, Global
Supply Chain. In this role, he was based in London with responsibility for
developing financial and strategic aspects of the company's global supply
chain, including logistics, procurement and sourcing.
Prior to joining Cadbury Schweppes, Alfonso was Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer for the Adams Division of Pfizer, Inc. From 1983 to 2000, he
worked in a variety of financial leadership positions at Warner Lambert,
culminating in the role of Vice President and International Treasurer.
A native of Cuba, Alfonso graduated from Rutgers University with a
bachelor's degree in accounting. He holds an MBA in marketing from Rutgers and
is a Certified Public Accountant.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest North American manufacturer
of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly
$5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company
markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, and Ice
Breakers. Hershey is the leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate
segment, with such brands as Hershey's Special Dark, Hershey's Extra Dark and
Cacao Reserve by Hershey's. Hershey's Ice Breakers franchise delivers
refreshment across a variety of mint and gum flavors and formats. In addition,
Hershey leverages its iconic brands, marketplace scale and confectionery and
nut expertise to develop and deliver substantial snacks, including Hershey's
and Reese's single-serve cookies and brownies, and value-added snack nuts,
including Hershey's Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds and Hershey's Special Dark
Chocolate Covered Almonds. Hershey also offers a range of products to address
the health and well-being needs of today's consumer. Hershey's and Reese's
Snacksters offer consumers great-tasting snacks in portion-controlled
servings, while Hershey's dark chocolate offerings provide the benefits of
flavanol antioxidants. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate
offerings as Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate
products, Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate
gifts, and Dagoba, known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate
bars. Visit us at www.hersheynewsroom.com.
SOURCE The Hershey Company
/CONTACT: Media, Kirk Saville of The Hershey Company, +1-717-534-7641/
/Web site: http://www.hersheys.com/ |
