Hershey C.E.O. Named Chairman of GMA Board of Directors
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) announced this weekend that Richard H. Lenny, chairman, president and c.e.o. of the Hershey Co., has been elected as the new chairman of the GMA board of directors for a two-year term. The announcement came during GMA's Executive Conference here.
Prior to joining the Hershey Company in 2001, Lenny was group v.p. and president of Nabisco Biscuit and Snacks. Lenny currently serves as co-chairman of GMA's Strategic Planning Steering Committee and just finished a two-year term as chairman of GMA's Industry Affairs Council. He also serves on the board of directors for Sunoco, Inc.
In remarks at the GMA Executive Conference, outgoing GMA chairman James Kilts, chairman, president, and c.e.o. of the Gillette Co., said, "During my tenure as chairman of the GMA board, I have been proud to be part of a team that has helped move our industry forward along many important fronts. With his exceptional knowledge of the industry and the great respect he commands among his peers, Rick Lenny can be counted on to provide the dynamic leadership we need to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."
Accepting his nomination as GMA chairman, Lenny said, "GMA plays a critically important role today on behalf of the food, beverage, and consumer products industry. It provides exceptional leadership both in capturing the immense growth potential of its members and in representing their interests with a wide range of constituencies. For nearly a century, GMA has advanced our interests on key issues affecting the ability of brand manufacturers to market their products profitably and deliver superior value to the consumer. We're fortunate that it has the leadership of officers, directors, and staff dedicated to continuing this great tradition over the coming years."
GMA also announced the election of new board officers for a one-year term. They are:
--Vice Chairman: Roger K. Deromedi, c.e.o., Kraft Foods, Inc.
--Treasurer: Gregg L. Engles, chairman and c.e.o., Dean Foods Co.
--Secretary: William Wrigley, Jr., chairman, president, and c.e.o., Wm. Wrigley Co.
Additionally, GMA announced the election of five new members of the board of directors:
--Brenda C. Barnes, president and c.e.o., Sara Lee Corp.
--Bradley Casper, president and c.e.o., Dial Corp.
--James R. Craigie, president and c.e.o., Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
--George E. Deese, president and c.e.o., Flowers Foods, Inc.
--Neil DeFeo, president and c.e.o., Playtex Products, Inc.
Prior to joining the Hershey Company in 2001, Lenny was group v.p. and president of Nabisco Biscuit and Snacks. Lenny currently serves as co-chairman of GMA's Strategic Planning Steering Committee and just finished a two-year term as chairman of GMA's Industry Affairs Council. He also serves on the board of directors for Sunoco, Inc.
In remarks at the GMA Executive Conference, outgoing GMA chairman James Kilts, chairman, president, and c.e.o. of the Gillette Co., said, "During my tenure as chairman of the GMA board, I have been proud to be part of a team that has helped move our industry forward along many important fronts. With his exceptional knowledge of the industry and the great respect he commands among his peers, Rick Lenny can be counted on to provide the dynamic leadership we need to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."
Accepting his nomination as GMA chairman, Lenny said, "GMA plays a critically important role today on behalf of the food, beverage, and consumer products industry. It provides exceptional leadership both in capturing the immense growth potential of its members and in representing their interests with a wide range of constituencies. For nearly a century, GMA has advanced our interests on key issues affecting the ability of brand manufacturers to market their products profitably and deliver superior value to the consumer. We're fortunate that it has the leadership of officers, directors, and staff dedicated to continuing this great tradition over the coming years."
GMA also announced the election of new board officers for a one-year term. They are:
--Vice Chairman: Roger K. Deromedi, c.e.o., Kraft Foods, Inc.
--Treasurer: Gregg L. Engles, chairman and c.e.o., Dean Foods Co.
--Secretary: William Wrigley, Jr., chairman, president, and c.e.o., Wm. Wrigley Co.
Additionally, GMA announced the election of five new members of the board of directors:
--Brenda C. Barnes, president and c.e.o., Sara Lee Corp.
--Bradley Casper, president and c.e.o., Dial Corp.
--James R. Craigie, president and c.e.o., Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
--George E. Deese, president and c.e.o., Flowers Foods, Inc.
--Neil DeFeo, president and c.e.o., Playtex Products, Inc.