Welcome to PMCA, the Professional Manufacturing Confectioners’ Association
Learn. Connect. Grow.
PMCA is an international association that enhances the companies and careers of confectionery and snack professionals through inspired learning and the building of long-term personal connections which empowers our members to create products that bring people JOY.
Founded in 1907 as the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Confectioners’ Association by candy manufacturers located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PMCA, as it is now known, includes members worldwide.
Our three-fold mission is to promote the long term success of the confectionery industry by:
- Providing interactive forums for the open exchange of information
- Promoting and directing basic and applied scientific research
- Educating and training current and future confectionery technical and manufacturing personnel
PMCA Staff
Yvette Thomas, Chief Operations Officer
Ms. Thomas is the administrative director for PMCA where she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association as well as the management of major conferences and technical training courses. Prior to PMCA, Ms. Thomas was the first executive director of the Electronic Code Management Association (ECCMA) and led the organization through its initial five years of growth and development. Before that she was a marketing programs manager at Dun & Bradstreet in their Supplier Evaluation and Management Services Division and previously human resources administrator and marketing manager at Victoria Vogue. Ms. Thomas has a BA degree from the Pennsylvania State University and an associate’s degree in business administration.
Brandy Kresge, Project Manager & Operations Assistant
Brandy has been working with PMCA since the spring of 2004. She earned her BS in Applied Sciences from the Northampton Community College in 2005. Her position began as an administrative assistant and she has since worked her way to her current position as Project Manager & Operations Assistant.
Brandy handles the everyday membership and accounting of PMCA including maintaining the PMCA Member Portal. She assists with various aspects of the annual production conference, and has helped to run the Student Outreach Program since its inception in 2007. She assists with activities of the Research Committee including the production of the PMCA Research Chat Podcast that launched in 2020. Brandy also assists with the design of email communications including the PMCA Sweet Network News, which is sent out monthly to members along with surveys and PMCA-related materials.
Rachel Halkias, Project Manager & Operations Assistant
Rachel started with PMCA in August 2014. She works closely with other PMCA staff and leadership to develop and maintain operations strategies that best serve the association and its membership.
She co-manages the organization and promotion of the Annual Production Conference, from preparation to implementation and post-event follow up. She also co-manages the organization for PMCA’s industry training courses on various confectionery topics. Rachel leads the development, design and enhancement of promotional and communication materials and manages digital content, including the PMCA website and social media. She collaborates with anywhere from six to eight volunteer committees, both permanent and ad hoc, as well as the PMCA Board of Directors, to organize meetings, follow up on action items and facilitate the implementation of each groups projects and initiatives.