Both Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley North America and Ross Born, who previously served as CEO of Just Born Quality Confections, were recently recognised by being awarded the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.
NCA’s Distinguished Service Award honours individuals who have worked to make a positive and lasting impact on the confectionery industry, frequently in cooperation with NCA.
“Anton is shaping the future of chocolate and candy with his pioneering spirit, demonstrating that progress in confectionery comes from bravely challenging existing norms,” said John Downs, President and CEO of NCA. “With leaders like him at the helm of this sector, we can look forward to continued innovation for years to come.”
Under Vincent’s leadership, Mars Wrigley played a pivotal role in the success of Always A Treat Initiative – a voluntary, five-year commitment to Partnership for a Healthier America for chocolate and candy companies to offer more transparency, choice and portion guidance options to consumers looking to manage their sugar intake. The NCA announced last year that companies’ commitment to further transparency had proven signs of working.
In September 2022, Vincent also served as the confectionery industry representative on a panel discussion at Georgetown University focused on a new report, ‘All Indulgent Products are Not Created Equal’, which found that chocolate and candy should not be grouped with other indulgent foods or beverages for the purposes of policymaking because they are not purchased or consumed the same way as other foods.
Since joining Mars, Vincent has lead one of the world’s largest consumer brand portfolios which include brands such as M&Ms, Snickers, Orbit, Extra and Skittles. He also leads the cross-segment Regional Presidents Council (RPC) and is the principal Mars leadership voice for industry and regulatory matters in the US.
In a similar vein of honouring an individual for their contributions to the confectionery industry, Ross Born was recognised with the NCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 State of the Industry Conference. The award recognises his vision, hard work and dedication in significantly contributing to the industry.
“Over his 40-year confectionery career, Ross made incredible contributions to NCA and the entire confectionery industry, but it is his infectious positivity that stands out to me,” commented John Downs. “His passion for elevating the consumer experience, his spirit of cooperation and collaboration within the industry and his faithful support of NCA over the years have made Ross a role model I admire and respect tremendously.”
Born has been an active participant in NCA activities throughout his time in the industry; serving as the elected board chair from 2006-2008, and volunteering his time on the CandyPAC Commitee and other government affairs committees. As an “ardent supporter”, Born ensured his company was one of the first to sign up for the All Candy Expo in its debut year, 1997. It has since become an integral part of what is now the Sweets & Snacks Expo.
For more than four decades, Born, a third-generation candy maker, served alongside his cousin David Shaffer in their family business, becoming Co-Presidents of Just Born in 1992.
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