Hershey: Confirms Bilbrey As President and CEO

Hershey / PA. (thc) The Hershey Company announced John P. Bilbrey as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, effective immediately. «J.P. has the experience, deep industry knowledge and the right skills to lead Hershey´s growth as it continues to evolve into a global company», said James E. Nevels, Chairman of the Board of Directors. «Over the years, J.P. has built a very effective relationship with the Board as well as with the various Hershey communities and constituencies. He has earned the respect of Hershey´s customers, employees and stockholders and the confidence of this Board. In determining how to best fill this position, the Board unanimously concluded that J.P. is the right person to continue as President and CEO and to lead the Company into the future». Bilbrey has more than 30 years of global consumer packaged goods experience. He was named Hershey´s interim President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2011. Bilbrey was named Chief Operating Officer in November 2010 with responsibility for day-to-day global operations and commercial activities, leading the Company´s supply chain as well as geographic regions, including the U.S.A., the Americas and Asia. From December 2007 to November 2010, he was Senior Vice President, President, Hershey North America. Bilbrey played a key leadership role in the Company´s turnaround as well as in the creation and implementation of the Company´s confectionery demand landscape and establishment of Hershey´s presence in markets around the world. Bilbrey joined Hershey in 2003 as Senior Vice President, President Hershey International.