President and COO, Jelly Belly Candy Company

Join us for this “sweet” opportunity to hear Robert Simpson, president and COO of Jelly Belly Candy Company, talk about the culture of innovation at the family-owned and operated company now in its fifth generation of candy makers. Headquartered in Fairfield, California, the firm manufactures Jelly Belly® jelly beans — made famous by President Ronald Reagan — and more than 100 gourmet confections that are marketed and sold to more than 35 countries.

The company has 700 employees, with manufacturing plants in North Chicago and Fairfield, California. A third plant is under construction in Rayong, Thailand, due to come online in January 2008.

In his position, Simpson is responsible for the company’s executive and operational functions in all national and international markets, as well as overseeing retail operations at company owned stores and the Jelly Belly Visitor Centers. He reports to Herman G. Rowland, chairman of the board.

Simpson currently serves on the Executive Board and Board of Trustees for the National Confections Association, and he is also on the Board for the Solano Economic Development Corporation, based in Solano County, California.

A native of Sacramento, California, Simpson joined Jelly Belly after a 30-year career at Raley’s, Inc., a 149-store supermarket chain. As senior director of marketing and merchandising, he designed the corporation’s marketing and merchandising strategies, developed new store formats, and directed competitive and consumer research initiatives.

Sponsored by : Prosper