HERSHEY, Pa. -- Brent Cotten has been promoted to director of customer and industry affairs at The Hershey Co. In this role, he will represent the company at U.S. trade associations, trade events and customer events to help establish and build strong working relationships with U.S. customers and industry leaders.
He is also responsible for U.S. sales meetings.
Cotten began his career with Hershey Foods in February 1992 as a sales representative in the Nashville District. He was promoted to district account supervisor in Knoxville, Tenn., and Knoxville district manager. He held several leadership positions within Hershey, including Atlanta convenience district manager, Southeast customer sales executive for convenience and Southeast area sales manager.
He accepted the role of director of strategic convenience retailers in June 2007, responsible for the sales of U.S. strategic c-store customers.
Cotten was elected as the 2008 Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors' Candy Representative of the Year. He currently serves on the NACS Supplier Board Membership Committee.
The Hershey Co., based in Hershey, Pa., is the largest producer of chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. With revenues of more than $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 25 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey also offers premium and artisan chocolate products under such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba through the Artisan Confections Co., a wholly owned subsidiary.
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