(CHICAGO) April 14, 2015 – Mark Dieffenbach, Director of Specialty Channels for The Hershey Company, was recently announced as NAMA’s Industry Person of the Year as part of the association’s 2015 Industry Awards. Dieffenbach will be presented with his award on April 22 at the 2014 NAMA OneShow in Las Vegas.
The NAMA Industry Person of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has consistently exemplified the highest standards of professional excellence throughout his or her career in the refreshment services industry, has been active in leadership roles, and has been an inspiration to others.
Since 2010, Mark has served as Director of Specialty Channels for The Hershey Company. In the Specialty Channels Division, Mark oversees sales in the vending and refreshment services channel as well as in the concession and alternative retailer channels. Under his watch, the division has consistently driven profitable sales growth in these channels through strategic allocation of financial resources and employee talent. A 31-year veteran of the company, Mark started his career as a sales representative in Louisville, Kentucky and held a variety of sales and management roles in the Chain Grocer, Convenience Store, Wholesale Grocer, Candy and Tobacco Distributor, Vend, Fundraising and Concession channels.
A member of NAMA’s Board of Directors since 2007, Mark was elected to the Board’s Executive Committee in 2008 and served as Board Chair from 2012-2013. During his term as Board Chair, the association executed the successful Positioning for Growth campaign, to preserve the viability and profitability of the vending and refreshment services industry and to drive future growth in the channel. Mark also currently serves as the Chair of the NAMA Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Actively advocating on behalf of the refreshment services industry, Mark participates in NAMA’s annual Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. and is a NAMA Certified Executive (NCE5), a designation awarded to professionals demonstrating the commitment, knowledge, integrity and leadership characteristics that distinguish them in their field. Expanding his expertise in the refreshment services industry, Mark also participated in NAMA’s Coffee Origin Tour in Costa Rica.
In his free time, March coaches basketball and baseball in Hershey, PA, where he resides with his wife Sara, and their two children. Mark is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a degree in Management and Marketing.
About the Awards:
The NAMA Industry Awards are presented to individuals that best exemplify support of the refreshment services industry through a history of service and leadership throughout the industry and in their own communities. They must be innovative, possess a willingness to expand conventional practices and follow ethical business standards in accordance with the NAMA code of ethics.
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1800 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
