Membership: Get Involved with NCA!

Committee Involvement

NCA encourages member involvement through participation on a number of governing boards and steering committees. A complete list of NCA committees follows. The NCA contact for each committee is listed as well; please contact the appropriate staff member if you are interested in serving on a committee. Committee seats are limited, in some cases, and require approval by the committee chair. Terms of service are normally three years. Each committee usually meets at least once per year.

A seat on the NCA Board of Trustees (for Domestic Confectionery Manufacturers) or the Advisory Committee of Supplier Members requires running for election. Elections are held each fall. Serving on these Boards and Committees involves two two-year terms.
Contact Libby Taylor.

Board of Trustees and Executive Board
Set policy and direction for all NCA objectives, programs and activities following the Association’s mission and strategic plan. All committees report to these governing bodies.
Contact Larry Graham.

ALL CANDY EXPO® Committee
Sets policy and direction for the planning of the ALL CANDY EXPO®, including attendance recruitment, expo organization, educational sessions and overall programming needs to produce a successful expo.
Contact Libby Taylor.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the Board of Trustees in fulfilling their responsibilities to monitor the integrity of the NCA’s financial reporting process. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to promote free and open communication among the Board of Trustees, the independent auditors, and the management of the NCA. Management of the NCA is responsible for the preparation, objectivity, and integrity of the financial statements and related information.
Contact Linda Jamie.

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee has been organized to develop investment strategy, goals and policies, which support the approved budget and at the same time protect the NCA’s financial interests. The Committee will have the responsibility of reviewing and selecting investment firms and seeing that the chosen firm is adhering to established policy. The Committee will advise management in matters relating to employee retirement/401(k) providers and be a resource as needed for financial decisions.
Contact Linda Jamie.

Advisory Committee of Supplier Members
Under the direction of the NCA Board of Directors, sets policy and direction for the entire supplier membership category, including dues structure and member benefits.
Contact Libby Taylor.

Broker Advisory Committee
Partnering with the brokerage community to assist the confectionery industry in the furthering of sales and merchandising programs in all retail outlets.
Contact Dave Klabunde.

Government Affairs Committee
Analyzes and evaluates NCA's legislative program and regulatory issues and recommends activities to the Board of Directors on legislative and regulatory policies and programs.
Contact Steve Lodge.

NCA Public Relations Committee
Plans and executes public relations activities to promote and protect confectionery products to media, consumers and health professionals. Prepares industry positions on a variety of topics including diet & health. Responds to media and other requests on behalf of candy industry.
Current Activities: Candy media event including speakers on traditions and trends; seasonal candy publicity including holiday “Celebrate with Candy” media kit for national media and Halloween Video News Release; and Traditions Theme activities (candy is a part of family traditions, rituals and holiday celebrations); updating Chocolate & Candy: The Balanced Story; sponsor of Kidnetic.com, a web site for parents and kids on healthy active lifestyles.
Contact Susan Smith.

NCA Market Research Committee Expands and improves the quality, timeliness and accuracy of confectionery industry statistics reports.
Contact Jim Corcoran.

Technical Committee
Works to address technical issues affecting the industry including: FDA regulations, nutrition labeling, educational programs, research, safety, packaging and the environment.
Contact Alison Bodor for the Technical Committee and the Technical Sub-Committees.

Technical Sub-Committees:

  • Research - Directs research programs and projects on ingredients, processing and analytical methods. Current research includes projects related to sucrose crystallization, fat and carbohydrate replacers, and shelf-life stability of confections containing nut meats.
  • Education - Coordinates NCA's Technical Education programs and workshops. We continue to offer a wide variety of practical short courses, including for the past 40 years, the Resident Course in Confectionery Technology.

Trade Relations Committee
Plans and executes marketing and merchandising campaigns designed to increase confectionery sales in all classes of trade.
Current Activities: Category Management: researching effective strategies to maximize confectionery sales. Retail Trade Education: provide material emphasizing successful merchandising ideas and practices. Industry Growth Initiative: Sponsoring a comprehensive research initiative designed to identify opportunities and develop new solutions for Confectionery industry growth and to provide insights to consumer shopping behavior, define standards and practices for more effective merchandising, and suggest specific opportunities for category growth.
Contact Jim Corcoran.

US Confectionery Industry Export Program Committee
Determines the direction and scope of the USCIEP''s operation within the USDA MAP regulations as it promotes U.S. confectionery products to importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and consumers in foreign markets.
Current Activities: Generic confectionery promotions in Germany and Japan. Market research in New Zealand and Sweden.
Contact Karen Horan.

USA Confectionery Pavilion Steering Committee
Sets policy and direction in the planning and implementation of the USA Confectionery Pavilion at ISM in Cologne, Germany, including recruitment, development, and amenities. Also provides guidance for other USA Confectionery Pavilions worldwide.
Contact Jim Corcoran.