Jenna Derhammer, Blommer Chocolate Company

Jenna Derhammer’s award-winning presentation, There’s No Sugarcoating It: Formulating with Alternative Sugar Ingredients in Chocolate was given Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the 76^th Annual Production Conference. The award will be presented at the 77^th Annual Production Conference dinner April 16, 2024, at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.

Jenna started working in the food industry in 2004 as her second career after working in the music industry. She attended the French Culinary Institute (now International Culinary Center) and received a degree in pastry arts and received a master’s degree in human nutrition from Drexel University.  She has held various roles in product and recipe development at such companies as Balducci’s and Ashland prior to joining Blommer. She started with Blommer in 2007 focusing on product development but has been working in innovation since 2014. As the R&D corporate manager of innovation, she leads the scouting, formulation and evaluation of new and novel ingredient technologies. Jenna is passionate about the confection industry and has served on the board of directors at the Fine Chocolate Industry Association and serves as PMCA’s Research Committee Chair.

Marie Kelso served as secretary to the Production Conference Committee for 38 years, and her name became synonymous with the event itself. In her youth, she was secretary to Hans Dresel, a salesman for Felton Chemical Company in Philadelphia, PA. As her boss worked tirelessly to organize and promote the PMCA Annual Production Conference, as well as AACT events, she organized and managed tirelessly as well.

After Marie left her job at Felton Chemical, the production conference became her life’s work. She was also active for many years in the Philadelphia Section of AACT.

Marie Kelso passed away in September 1995.

Pam Gesford, The Hershey Company

Ms. Gesford presented Rheology of Sweets April Monday, 11, 2022 during the 75th Annual Production Conference.

Sarah Woodling Houle, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

Ms. Houle presented Nuts, Almonds, Chocolate – Functionality, Shelf Life & Liking August 10, 2021 during the 74th Annual Production Conference, which was conducted virtually.

Nina Puch, Knechtel, Inc.

Ms. Puch presented Advancements in Gummies Wednesday, April 18, 2019 during the 73rd Annual Production Conference.

Carly Meck, Blommer Chocolate Company

Ms. Meck presented Mysteries of Conching Revealed Wednesday, April 18, 2018 during the 72nd Annual Production Conference.

Jeffrey Bogusz, Ferrara Candy Company

Mr. Bogusz presented Panning Equipment – Classic, Belt, Automated and Future State of the Art as part of the Basics & Beyond Seminar Monday April 3, 2017 during the 71st Annual Production Conference.

John Ashby, California Natural Products

Mr. Ashby presented Beyond Corn Syrup as part of the Basics & Beyond Seminar Monday April 11, 2016 during the 70th Annual Production Conference.

Mark Kline, The Hershey Company

Mr. Kline presented Natural Pasteurization of Tree Nuts & Peanuts Wednesday, April 15, 2015 during the 69th Annual Production Conference.

Kerry Kaylegian, The Pennsylvania State University

Ms. Kaylegian presented Milk-Derived Ingredients for Confections as part of the Basics & Beyond Seminar Monday, April 14, 2014 during the 68th Annual Production Conference.