Tuesday Highlights

Each year, PMCA holds the Annual Meeting of Members, in accordance with its bylaws. This is an officer transition year, which means Chair of the Board Tom Houlihan, Guittard Chocolate Company will move from the chair position to lifetime honorary board director. As the chair was unable to attend the conference this year, Greta Houlihan accepted the crystal gavel and stand on behalf of her father.

Top left: President Steve Genzoli, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company addresses meeting attendees.

Top right: Vice President Cynthia Angelo, Givaudan Flavors reports on the association’s investments and finances.

Bottom left and right: President Steve Genzoli presents the commemorative crystal gavel and stand to Greta Houlihan, Guittard Chocolate Company who accepts on behalf of her father, outgoing chair Tom Houlihan, Guittard Chocolate Company.

Dedicated PMCA volunteer, Ed Wilson, retired from AAK, was named the third recipient of the PMCA Distinguished Service Award for his longtime outstanding service to PMCA. The award was presented by Rose Potts, Blommer Chocolate Company. Ed is and has been active on multiple PMCA committees for 20 years, has served as an officer and is currently on the board of directors. He has instructed at several PMCA courses and was instrumental in the creation of the Western Region Committee, which aims to expand PMCA awareness in the western region of the US. In addition to his involvement in PMCA, he has received other industry accolades including the Stroud Jordan Award and being inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.

Top right, left and middle left: Ed Wilson addresses dinner attendees after being announced.

Middle right: Award Chair Rose Potts and Ed Wilson.

Bottom left: PMCA staff (Brandy Kresge, Yvette Thomas and Rachel Halkias) with Ed Wilson

Bottom right: Ed Wilson and his family.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Award Chair Sarah Houle, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company presented the award to Jenna Derhammer, Blommer Chocolate Company. She is the twenty-sixth recipient of the Marie Kelso Memorial Award for her presentation titled There’s No Sugarcoating It: Formulating with Alternative Sugar Ingredients in Chocolate, which she presented Tuesday, April 18, 2023 during the 76^th Annual Production Conference.

Top left and right: Award Chair Sarah Houle presenting award to Jenna Derhammer.

Middle rows: Jenna Derhammer addressing dinner attendees.

Bottom left: Sarah Houle and Jenna Derhammer.

Bottom right: Jenna Derhammer and her husband, Ralph Stollenwerk.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Student Outreach Program participant Taelie Kennedy, Utah State University was the third recipient of the Dennis L. Zak Education Award. The award seeks to honor Dennis Zak’s love for science, learning, mentoring and confections by recognizing the PMCA student participant who most exhibits these qualities. It is bestowed by Karen Zak and presented at the PMCA Annual Production Conference. Students who are chosen do not know they are the recipient until the award presentation during the annual dinner.

Top left and right: Karen Zak addresses dinner attendees.

Middle left: Karen Zak and Taelie Kennedy.

Middle right: Taelie Kennedy addresses dinner attendees.

Bottom left: Taelie Kennedy, Karen Zak and prior award recipient Elisabeth Weir, PepsiCo.

Bottom right: Taelie Kennedy’s advisor, Dr. Silvana Martini, Utah State University with Taelie and Karen Zak.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.