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Hershey Taps Former PepsiCo Exec to Lead U.S. Confections Business

Sept. 5, 2024

Michael Del Pozzo will be Hershey Co.’s new president, U.S. Confections, after 23 years at PepsiCo, most recently leading Gatorade and Frito Lay North America.

Andy Hanacek

Michael Del Pozzo, president, U.S. Confections, The Hershey Co.

The Hershey Co. has appointed former PepsiCo executive Michael Del Pozzo to be its new president, U.S. Confection, effective Sept. 16, 2024. Del Pozzo joins Hershey after 23 years at PepsiCo, most recently leading PepsiCo’s Gatorade business as president and general manager.

In his new role at Hershey, Del Pozzo is expected to lead U.S. growth of brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s and Jolly Rancher. He joins the company’s executive committee and will work with the other two business leaders — Kristen Riggs, president, Salty Snacks, and Rohit Grover, president, International. He is taking the reins of the U.S. confections business from Charles Raup, who is retiring after 15 years to pursue other executive opportunities, the company noted.

While leading PepsiCo’s Gatorade business, Del Pozzo oversaw a $10 billion business and transformed the traditional sports drink company into a portfolio of sports and fitness brands. He previously led sales and commercial functions for Frito Lay North America as its chief customer officer, among other leadership positions throughout PepsiCo.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.