Hershey Names Buck Next CEO

The Hershey Company announced that executive vice president and chief operating officer Michele Buck will succeed the retiring John P. Bilberry as president and CEO on March 1, 2017.

Bilberry, who will remain non-executive chairman of Hershey’s board of directors following his retirement, praised Buck for her “keen sense for how to grow our iconic brands,” as well as for “bringing out the best in employees amid a rapidly changing business environment.”

Since joining the company in 2005, Buck has spearheaded several key strategic shifts, including the move of Hershey’s core confection portfolio from a supply- to a demand-driven business model. She also initiated a broader snacking category strategy and oversaw the acquisitions of the Krave and barkThins brands.