• Allison Miazga-Bedrick, Mars Snacking
• Dale Buys, The Walt Disney Company
• Michael Flynn, Stribbons, Inc.
• Juan Gallicchio, Thayer Distribution (posthumous)
• Tim Galloway, Galloway Company
• Debra Harris, Shankman & Associates, Inc.
• Taz Murray, Murray Asset Management
• Katherine Phegley, Brown & Haley
• Kaye Powell, S. Abraham & Sons, Inc.
• Michael Sitarz, Elmer Chocolate
• Alan Yarmaloff, CVS Health

LorAnn Oils, the family-owned manufacturer behind some of America’s most beloved candy and baking flavors, has made a pivotal move by appointing Paul Bajorek as President, effective January 1, 2026.

This appointment represents more than just a personnel change: it’s a strategic commitment to growth and innovation for a company that has been creating memorable moments for over 64 years.

Bajorek brings more than three decades of leadership experience. His strategic approach to driving sales growth, product development, building high-performing teams, and strengthening retailer partnerships demonstrates the kind of versatile leadership that today’s CPG companies require.

“Paul’s strategic approach and collaborative leadership style make him the best choice to lead our team,” said John Grettenberger, Chief Executive Officer at LorAnn. “His commitment to empowering teams and passion for product innovation will help guide us as we strengthen our presence across channels and pursue new growth opportunities both domestically and internationally.”

Most recently, Bajorek was the Vice President at LorAnn leading the sales, marketing and product development teams. He consistently grew market share while delivering both top- and bottom-line growth.

Maintaining Continuity

One of the most challenging aspects of leadership is ensuring a seamless transition while introducing a different perspective. LorAnn has managed this balance thoughtfully by ensuring that John Henighan, who has served in the President’s role for more than six years, will work closely with Bajorek to ensure a smooth hand off before his departure mid-2026.

“John Henighan’s leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on our business and culture,” added Grettenberger. “We are grateful for his contributions and wish him the very best in his next endeavor.”  

LorAnn Heritage Continues

64 years ago, O.K. Grettenberger, founded LorAnn Oils in Okemos, Michigan and named the company in honor of his wife, Laura, and their only daughter, Ann.

Originally, LorAnn Oils bottled and distributed about 8 to 10 core essential oils such as peppermint and clove and distribution was limited to pharmacies. Over the years, the business expanded its product offerings and now sells to a wide variety of retailers, manufacturers, health practitioners and home consumers.

LorAnn is best known for its concentrated flavorings and specialty baking ingredients. While Super Strength Flavors remain its signature line, LorAnn’s Better Than Extract Bakery Emulsions continue to delight and inspire bakers worldwide. The company also offers Premium Vanillas and its Flavor Fountain line—both favorites within the ice cream and yogurt industries. Most products are available in retail and bulk sizes and are certified kosher, gluten-free, and made without added sugar.

LorAnn Oils remains a family owned and operated business focused on providing customers with the best in quality products and service.

New York, NY - (FOR RELEASE– December 9, 2025) - The Madelaine Chocolate Company, one of
America’s most trusted family-owned chocolatiers, announces a new licensing collaboration with
Sesame Workshop, the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street. The chocolatier will introduce seasonal
and holiday Sesame Street chocolate collections that will debut for Christmas 2026.

This marks the first collaboration between the iconic children’s brand and the 75-year-old chocolate
maker; uniting the joyful, multi-generational appeal of Sesame Street with Madelaine Chocolate’s
heritage of premium packaged chocolates.

For more than five decades, Sesame Street has inspired families around the world through playful
learning. With a global footprint in more than 190 countries and beloved characters including Elmo,
Cookie Monster, Grover, and Abby Cadabby, the brand continues to reinvent itself for new generations.
Sesame Street has just debuted its 56th season on Netflix and PBS KIDS on November 10, 2025,
expanding its reach to millions of new households.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rockaway Beach, New York, The Madelaine Chocolate Company
is a third-generation family business renowned within the confectionery industry for its craftsmanship,
consistency, and creativity. For decades, Madelaine has quietly produced many of America’s most
cherished molded chocolates, pairing Old-World European artistry with American innovation.

The collaboration will focus on seasonal and holiday collections that that families can enjoy as part of
seasonal celebrations. The first collection will launch for Holiday 2026 with additional releases to follow.
“This collaboration is very exciting for our company,” said Estee Farber, VP of Sales and Marketing of The
Madelaine Chocolate Company. “For 75 years, Madelaine has taken pride in creating chocolates that
connect generations through tradition. Sesame Street is a brand synonymous with joy, imagination, and
heart and with those shared qualities, we look forward to collaborating on collections that will appeal
both to new and veteran Sesame Street fans.”

With Sesame Street’s widespread brand recognition and loyal multi-generational audience, combined
with Madelaine’s deep relationships across national retailers, specialty stores, and seasonal programs,
the partnership is poised to bring a new level of excitement and visibility to the seasonal chocolate
category.

Additional details on the Holiday 2026 collection will be announced closer to launch.

# # #

About The Madelaine Chocolate Company
Founded in 1949, The Madelaine Chocolate Company is a third-generation, family-run chocolatier based
in Rockaway Beach, New York. Known within the confectionary industry for its exceptional quality and
craftsmanship, Madelaine has been the quiet maker behind many of America’s most cherished
chocolate treats for over 75 years. Specializing in premium foil-wrapped molded chocolates, the
company blends Old World European artistry with state-of-the-art American production.
www.MadelaineChocolate.com

About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years,
we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that
enrich minds and expand hearts, all in the service of empowering each generation to build a better
world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early
learning to families in more than 190 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere
grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Learn more at www.sesame.org and follow Sesame Workshop on
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.

The Madelaine Chocolate Company / Press Contact:
Gita McCutcheon
Curious Monkey
gita@curiousmonkeyco.com
(845) 548-6239

Arthur “Art” Greenberg passed away on November 25, 2025, at age 90. He spent his career in his family’s business, Union Confectionery Machinery Co. in New York, a company established by his great-grandfather in 1912.

Art had an exceptional career in the machinery business, earning the respect of customers in the confectionery, baking, and snack food industries around the world. Over his 51-year career, he was responsible for buying and selling machinery, oversaw the manufacture of new equipment, and also introduced European machinery to the North American market. He was widely known as an expert in the confectionery field, valued for being knowledgeable, helpful, prepared, and highly professional.

He was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2005 and retired from the business in 2007. Today, Union Confectionery Machinery Co. continues under the leadership of his sons, Jim Greenberg and John S. Greenberg, who carry forward the family’s long connection to the industry. Read full obituary.

South Burlington, VT — November 2025 — Birnn Chocolates of Vermont has been honored with the 2025 Spirit of the ADA Award by the Vermont Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD). This award recognizes organizations that demonstrate leadership and innovation in creating accessible, inclusive environments and meaningful employment opportunities for Vermonters with disabilities.

Birnn Chocolates’ recent facility updates and longstanding hiring practices reflect a deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The company continues to foster a workplace where every team member belongs, feels safe, and is valued.

“We believe that creating an inclusive environment makes our team stronger,” said Julia Birnn Fields, fourth-generation owner and President of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont. “Accessibility isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of how we express our values of care, dignity, and belonging for every person who walks through our doors.”

Birnn Chocolates has partnered for years with Champlain Community Services (CCS) and Way2Work, programs that connect individuals with disabilities to meaningful employment. The award recognizes the company’s collaborative approach and its leadership as a Vermont manufacturer committed to inclusion and community. “Birnn Chocolates’ renovation and approach to employment set a model for what thoughtful accessibility can look like,” said a GCEPD representative during the Governor’s Awards for Business Excellence in Supporting People with Disabilities.

The Birnn family has been handcrafting truffles in Vermont with care, consistency, and heart. From the earliest days, Birnn Chocolates of Vermont has opened its doors to New Americans and team members from all walks of life, building a culture of belonging where everyone feels respected and valued. That enduring commitment to people is what truly defines the company’s success.

Photo attached: Julia Birnn Fields, President of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, with employee Eva Seyller and Product Manager Boris Thomas, accepting the Spirit of the ADA Award at the Governor’s Awards ceremony.

Watch the full interview here.

Munson’s Chocolates was named a finalist for its Pecan Caramel Patties in the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut 2025 competition, which celebrates the state’s manufacturing industry and its world-class workforce. The single-elimination, bracket-style contest invited residents to vote for their favorite Connecticut-made products.

“This competition was filled with so many impressive products and companies, which makes this recognition even more meaningful,” said Karen Munson, president of Munson’s Chocolates. “Being a finalist for one of the Coolest Things Made in Connecticut is a proud moment for our company and a testament to the dedication of our employees. It reflects their passion, craftsmanship, and commitment to our legacy brand, which we have been cultivating over the past 79 years.”

Click here to read the full story »

Nancy King, founder of Nandy’s Candy in Jackson, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025. Known for her fierce determination and unmistakable moxie, Nancy built more than a candy business—she created a family of employees and customers she cared for deeply. Read obituary.

Congratulations to Van Otis Chocolates, winner of the 2025 Grand Confection Award. Pictured with the award (from left): Marc Amiet, Emily Lewis and Emily Lazzar. To the right are finalists pictured with RCI Board President Gregory Power of Las Olas Confections and Snacks: Jayni Wunderlich of Graham's Chocolates, James Holland of Liled's Candy Kitchen and Andrew Wilbur of Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections.

COVINGTON, KY – June 18, 2025 - Retail Confectioners International (RCI) proudly announced the winner and three finalists of its second annual Grand Confection Award, honoring creativity and craftsmanship in the confectionery industry. The Confection of the Year was the meltaway—a chocolate confection made with fat or nut butter as a primary ingredient.

The 2025 Grand Confection Award was presented to Van Otis Chocolates of Manchester, New Hampshire, for its Peanut Butter and Whipped Honey Meltaway during RCI's Annual Convention & Industry Expo. This winning confection combines smooth peanut butter with New Hampshire native whipped cinnamon honey and adds feuilletine for a light crunch.

A panel of industry experts evaluated 25 meltaway entries from candy makers across the U.S. and Canada during RCI’s Annual Convention & Industry Expo in Covington, Kentucky. Judging was conducted blindly and based on criteria of excellence in taste, texture, appearance and creativity.

In addition to the Grand Confection winner, the following entries were selected as finalists:

• Peanut Butter Diamond by Graham’s Chocolates, Geneva, IL
• Strawberry Cheesecake Meltaway by Liled’s Candy Kitchen, Vallejo, CA
• Raspberry Lemonade Meltaway by Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, Freeport, ME

“As a trade association for retail confectioners, RCI believes in celebrating the art and science of crafting delicious confections—and this award does just that,” said RCI Executive Director Angie Burlison. “We’re proud to offer a platform for our members to showcase their skills and receive the recognition they deserve.”

All entries were featured during the convention in a special display and highlighted in RCI’s Convention Magazine. Click here to view the full list of entries and participants.

Congratulations to Schimpff’s Confectionery of Jeffersonville, Indiana for being voted the #1 Best Candy Store in America by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

The historic candy shop, owned by Warren and Jill Schimpff, has delighted visitors with handmade confections in downtown Jeffersonville for generations. The couple was recognized for this incredible achievement during the Awards Banquet at RCI’s 2025 Annual Convention & Industry Expo.

We’re proud to celebrate this sweet success with longtime RCI members Warren and Jill—well deserved!