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Randy Hofberger 
Consultant, R&D Candy Consultants, LLC 

Randy Hofberger has been in the chocolate industry for over 40 years. His responsibilities began at Nestlé Confections in various aspects of quality assurance such as sanitation, HACCP, GMP, labeling, weight control and audits.  It then shifted to technical applications and formulations. For 12 years he was the technical manager for the Peter’s Chocolate Division. Responsibilities included customer technical service, assisting in industry courses and industrial product development. Randy completed his career with Nestlé in various areas of technical applications for retail confections, including plant operations, cost savings and product development from concept to industrialization, specializing in chocolate and caramels. Currently Randy consults for the industry as R&D Candy Consultants, LLC, assisting with various challenges including product development, line start-ups, formulations, quality control and improving efficiencies. Randy has been involved with RCI and AACT, serving as an instructor for various seminars and courses and is a past recipient of RCI's Henry J. Bornhofft Award and a member of the Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2014. 

Joe Sofia
Technical Applications Advisor, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate

Joe Sofia graduated from Cornell University and spent 10 years working for Nestlé USA in engineering, R&D and manufacturing before joining Peter’s Chocolate as a district sales manager in 1995. He spent several years as Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate’s chocolate specialist and is currently Senior Regional Account Manager. Joe has hosted seminars and demonstrations at the Philadelphia Candy Show and Sweets & Snacks Expo and has previously served on the instruction team for both RCI's Chocolate Boot Camp and Caramels, Toffees & Brittles. Joe currently serves as a member of the RCI Board of Directors and was the recipient of RCI’s Henry J. Bornhoft Award in 2021.

Kathy Bomboy-Casteel
Vice President, Bomboy's Home Made Candy, Inc.                                                                             

Kathy Bomboy-Casteel is a second generation candy maker and has been actively involved in confectionery production and R&D for more than 20 years. Kathy graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in marketing. After graduation, she began working full time in the production, manufacturing and quality control elements of her family's business. Kathy attended the RCI Gus Pulakos Candy School in 1998. She has since moderated numerous seminars for the Retail Confectioners of Philadelphia and was an instructor for RCI's Mechanics of Moulding course. Kathy is currently on the RCI Board of Directors and also sits on RCI's education committee.