The Hershey Company has announced the appointment of Michael Del Pozzo as President of U.S. Confection, effective September 16. Del Pozzo will oversee the company’s iconic brands, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Jolly Rancher, and will spearhead the next phase of U.S. growth.
Del Pozzo joins Hershey after a distinguished 23-year career at PepsiCo, where he led significant transformations across prominent brands like Gatorade, Propel, and Muscle Milk. Most recently, as President and General Manager of Gatorade, he managed a $10 billion business, transforming it into a diversified portfolio of sports and fitness brands. His previous roles include Chief Customer Officer at Frito Lay North America and other key leadership positions at PepsiCo.
As part of his new role, Del Pozzo will join Hershey’s executive committee and collaborate with Kristen Riggs, President of Salty Snacks, and Rohit Grover, President of International, to drive Hershey’s strategic goals. He succeeds Charles Raup, who is retiring after 15 years with the company.
Michele Buck, Chairman and CEO of The Hershey Company, praised Del Pozzo, saying, “Mike’s expertise in consumer insights, customer relationships, and strategic leadership makes him the perfect choice to lead our U.S. Confection business. We are excited to have him guide us through our next chapter.”
Del Pozzo expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to join Hershey and work with such an iconic brand portfolio. I look forward to collaborating with Michele and the team to continue driving growth and innovation in the U.S. Confection market.”