WASHINGTON -- The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has awarded Cindy Maly, senior category manager of snacks and candy for Ankeny, Iowa-based convenience-store retailer Casey’s General Stores, the 2019 Confectionery Leadership Award.
The association also honored Stephanie Panzetta, center store category merchandiser for grocer Weis Markets, Sunbury, Pa., with the leadership award.
The two leaders have been honored for their category management best practices, effective business collaboration and innovations in merchandising confectionery in-store, the NCA said.
“The Confectionery Leadership Award was created to honor industry retailers who thrust the category forward through their dedication and innovation to the category,” said Larry Wilson, vice president of industry affairs for the NCA. “As in years past, there were many deserving and worthy candidates for this year’s award. The strides the chocolate and candy industry have made thanks to Cindy’s and Stephanie’s efforts are what stood out to the committee.”
Maly joined Casey’s in September 2002 as the category manager for snacks and candy and was promoted to senior level in November 2013. Maly regularly participates on the Mars Retail Advisory Board for C-Stores and is heavily involved with the NCA’s Women’s Leadership Group, the Most Innovative New Product Award tasting panel and Washington Forum.
“I have met many colleagues and peers through the years, and I am honored to be recognized by people that I respect and have learned from,” Maly said. “I thoroughly enjoy being part of the confectionery industry.”
The NCA, based in Washington, D.C., serves as the primary voice for the chocolate, cocoa, nonchocolate and gum industries in the United States.
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