Kirk Vashaw, Spangler Candy Company’s Chief Executive Officer, has been nominated for the 2017 Kettle Award, the highest recognition an individual working in the U.S. candy industry can attain.
Established in 1946, the Kettle Award goes to the individual who has contributed to various aspects of the candy industry including government relations, quality, sales & marketing, plant improvement, research & product development, and education, financial, administrative and environmental issues.
Mr. Vashaw, who in 2008 became the 7th President in Spangler Candy Company’s 111-year history, and who is the first fourth-generation family member to lead the company, has been actively involved with the National Confectioners Association (NCA). In 2012, he was honored with the inaugural NCA “Member Advocate of the Year” award for his efforts in persuading members of Congress to reform the U.S. sugar policy. He presently is a member of the NCA Board of Trustees and continues to actively lobby for sugar reform.
Over its 70-year existence, The Kettle Award has honored the work of influential industry leaders including Russell Stover of Russell Stover Candies, Ellen Gordon of Tootsie Roll Industries, Sal Ferrara of Ferrara Pan Candy, and Herm Rowland of Jelly Belly Candy Company, among others.
Mr. Vashaw is the fourth Spangler Candy Company leader to be nominated for the Kettle Award. Duane Fox received the award in 1993 when he was Spangler’s Executive Vice President, and Pat Hurley received it in 2000 when he was the company’s Director of Technical Services. Ted Spangler, the company’s 2nd generation leader, also was nominated for the Kettle Award. Only one other company has ever employed three Kettle Award winners.
Supporters of Spangler Candy Company are welcome to visit the Kettle Awards website at www.kettleawards.com/index.php/ballot to vote for their nominee of choice. A committee of 22 key candy industry leaders will consider these votes in making the final selection. The winner will be announced at the 2017 Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
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