HERSHEY, Pa., March 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) today announced the appointment of Mary Beth West as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. West will join the company on May 1.

In her role at Hershey, West will oversee the company’s growth strategy including Insights and Analytics, Strategy, marketing excellence functions, Innovation, Research and Development, Mergers and Acquisitions, and The Hershey Experience. She will report to Chief Executive Officer Michele Buck.

“Mary Beth will be a great addition to our executive team,” said Buck. “She is an accomplished business leader who is considered one of the best food executives and marketers in the industry. Her deep experience in growing some of the world’s best-known consumer brands and demonstrated ability to transform consumer engagement will be a tremendous asset to Hershey as we chart our growth agenda.”

West brings 30 years of executive and marketing leadership to the company having most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer at J.C. Penney Company, Inc. where she was responsible for revitalizing the JCPenney brand. For more than 20 years she led multi-billion dollar businesses and marketing at Mondelez International, Inc., previously Kraft Foods, including roles as its Chief Category & Marketing Officer and President of both its North American beverage and grocery businesses.

West has served on the Board of Directors for J.C. Penney. She is currently on the Board of Directors for Hasbro Inc. and the Board of Trustees for both The Wallace Foundation and Mercy Ships. She is also a strong supporter of the Gladney Center for Adoption. West received a Bachelor of Science in Management from Nazareth College of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Columbia University. Mary Beth will relocate to the Hershey area with her husband and four children.

For more information about Hershey, please visit TheHersheyCompany.com.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 18,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and Brookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America.