Hershey Appoints Michele Buck As EVP, COO, Effective Immediately

(RTTNews) - Chocolate maker Hershey Co. (HSY) announced Thursday that Michele Buck has been named Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

In this position, Buck, age 54, will continue to report to John Bilbrey, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.

In her prior role as President, North America, Buck led Hershey's U.S. and Canadian businesses, which account for more than 85 percent of the company's annual revenue. She has also served as the company's Senior Vice President, Chief Growth Officer, and Senior Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer.

Prior to joining Hershey in 2005, Buck served 17 years at Kraft/Nabisco in numerous senior positions and at the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo.

The company noted that Buck will continue to lead Hershey's day-to-day North American operations and now will oversee Hershey's operations in Central and South America.

The company's global supply chain, sales, marketing, innovation, research and development, and consumer and shopper analytics and insights capabilities also now will report to Buck.