HSY Hershey Company

HERSHEY, Pa., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) today announced that John C. Long, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, will retire after more than 22 years with the company, effective April 30. Long will work as a consultant with Hershey, continuing to lead the company's efforts in cocoa sustainability and responsible cocoa growing. "John has played a leading role in Hershey's efforts to make a positive difference," said David J. West, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. "I want to thank John for his commitment and his industry- wide leadership in improving the quality of life in the world's cocoa-growing regions. I'm very pleased that Hershey will continue to draw on John's expertise in responsible cocoa growing. We will also continue our focus on community relations and environmental sustainability as we build on our unique legacy of social responsibility, both locally and around the world." Long joined The Hershey Company in 1986 as Director, Public Relations, and became Director, Consumer and Public Relations, in 1989. In 2001, he was promoted to Vice President, Public Affairs, and was named Vice President, Corporate Affairs, in 2005. He was named Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, in 2007. Long has served as chairman of the World Cocoa Foundation and on the Global Issues Group of the international confectionery industry. He serves on the boards of the International Foundation for Education & Self-Help, the International Cocoa Initiative, the Andrew Young Center for International Affairs of Morehouse College and United Way International. He holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University, a certificate from the Russian Institute, Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree in political science and Russian from Oberlin College. About The Hershey Company The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly $5 billion and almost 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers. Hershey is the leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Hershey's Extra Dark and Cacao Reserve by Hershey's. Hershey's Ice Breakers franchise delivers refreshment across a variety of mint and gum flavors and formats. Hershey's partnership with Starbucks offers a premium chocolate experience that combines the highest-quality chocolate with Starbucks coffee-house flavors, for a range of delicious and distinct chocolate products. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate products, Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate gifts, and Dagoba, known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate bars. Visit us at http://www.hersheynewsroom.com/. DATASOURCE: The Hershey Company CONTACT: Kirk Saville of The Hershey Company, +1-717-534-7641 Web site: http://www.hersheys.com/ http://www.hersheynewsroom.com/

Copyright