Hershey has announced the appointment of Michael Del Pozzo as President of U.S. Confection, effective September 16. In this role, Del Pozzo will oversee Hershey’s U.S. operations, managing iconic brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Jolly Rancher, and steering the company’s next phase of growth. Del Pozzo brings 23 years of experience from PepsiCo, where he successfully led growth and transformation efforts for major consumer brands like Gatorade®, Propel®, Muscle Milk®, and Evolve®. As the former President and General Manager of Gatorade, Del Pozzo managed a $10 billion business, expanding it into a diverse portfolio of sports and fitness products. Prior to that, he served as Chief Customer Officer for Frito-Lay North America, among other leadership roles at PepsiCo.
Del Pozzo will join Hershey’s Executive Committee, working closely with Kristen Riggs, President of Salty Snacks, and Rohit Grover, President of International, to further the company’s strategic vision and meet the evolving needs of consumers and customers. He succeeds Charles Raup, who is retiring after 15 years at Hershey to pursue other executive opportunities.
“Mike’s deep understanding of consumer insights, strong customer relationships, and proven track record in driving strategic change make him the ideal choice to lead our U.S. Confection business into its next chapter,” said Michele Buck, Chairman and CEO of The Hershey Company. “We are grateful to Chuck for his valuable contributions over the years and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Del Pozzo expressed his enthusiasm for joining Hershey, stating, “I am excited to be part of Hershey at such a pivotal time. The company’s rich history, culture, and talented team, combined with its beloved brands, make this a unique opportunity. I look forward to working with Michele and the entire team to continue driving growth and innovation in the U.S. Confection business.”
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to doing the right thing for its people, planet, and communities. Hershey has more than 20,000 employees in the U.S. and worldwide who work daily to deliver delicious, high-quality products. The company has more than 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries that drive more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers, and salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.
