REVERE, Mass. -- Candy maker NECCO has announced that Michael McGee has been named chief executive officer and has been appointed to the company's board of directors. McGee succeeds Al Gulachenski, who is no longer with the company.
Speaking for the board, Miles Arnone said, "Mike brings years of confection experience and has a consistent track record of reinvigorating iconic brands. The board is enthusiastic about NECCO's future under his new leadership."
"I am thrilled to join NECCO," said McGee. "This is a company with a rich American tradition--whether sharing NECCO Wafers with friends or using Sweethearts to tell your first crush how much you care. I am eager to work with the management team to exceed our consumer and customer expectations as we bring NECCO's iconic candies to America's next generation."
McGee has more than 15 years of general management experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry across confections, beverage, food and snacks.
As a general manager, collaborative leader and marketer, McGee has a consistent track record of reinvigorating brands. Most recently, he served as the vice president of marketing at Mars Chocolate. Prior to Mars, he held key management positions at Kraft Foods working with leading brands such as Jell-O, Maxwell House and Post Cereal.
NECCO, the New England Confectionery Co., is the oldest continuously operating candy company in the United States, it said. It was founded in 1847 when Oliver Chase invented the first American candy machine. NECCO produces its entire assortment of candy at the company's headquarters in Revere, Mass. Brands include NECCO Wafers, the Valentine's Day staple Sweethearts and other iconic brands such as the Clark Bar, Sky Bar, Canada Mints, Candy Buttons, Mary Jane and Haviland Thin Mints.
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