Announced by President and CEO John Downs, ahead of next month's tentpole Sweets & Snacks Expo in Las Vegas, these developments underscore the organisation’s commitment to strengthening its influence in Washington, DC, while delivering greater value to its members across a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
Leadership Promotions Signal Strategic Alignment
At the forefront of this transition are the promotions of Brian McKeon and Christopher Gindlesperger to newly created Executive Vice President roles –positions designed to deepen the integration of policy, communications, and industry engagement.
Brian McKeon has been named Executive Vice President of Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs. Over the past five years, McKeon has led NCA’s advocacy efforts across federal, state, and regulatory arenas, building strong relationships with policymakers and executing targeted strategies that deliver measurable impact. In his expanded role, he will also oversee scientific and regulatory affairs, positioning NCA to navigate an increasingly complex legislative environment with greater cohesion and authority.
Christopher Gindlesperger now serves as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications. With more than a decade of experience shaping NCA’s communications strategy, Gindlesperger has played a key role in enhancing the industry’s reputation through media engagement, consumer education, and award-winning campaigns. His leadership of the 'Always A Treat' initiative has been instrumental in differentiating chocolate and candy within broader food conversations.
In his new role, he will further align communications with policy priorities and member engagement to amplify industry impact.
Additional leadership promotions reinforce this strategic evolution:
- Steve McCroddan has been elevated to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer.
- Sarah Atkinson has been named Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Industry Engagement.
- Susan Whiteside is now Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications.
- Jennifer Gardner has been promoted to Vice President of State Government Affairs.
Together, this leadership team reflects a deliberate effort to align expertise across policy, advocacy, communications, and operations – ensuring NCA remains agile and influential in a dynamic business and regulatory environment.
As Downs noted, these promotions highlight both the strength of the organisation’s leadership and its forward-looking vision: a unified, collaborative approach that enhances advocacy, elevates the industry’s voice, and positions NCA for long-term success.
A New Era of Industry Education
Complementing these leadership changes is the launch of a newly created Director of Education role – an initiative spearheaded by Sarah Atkinson in her expanded position.
This role represents a significant shift in how NCA approaches professional development and knowledge-sharing. Envisioned as the organisation’s 'education quarterback,' the Director of Education will design and lead a modern, member-centric learning ecosystem that spans all sectors of NCA membership.
Rather than relying solely on traditional, event-based programming, the new model will deliver continuous, year-round learning opportunities. It will integrate resources from across the organization – including industry affairs, scientific and regulatory guidance, public policy insights, communications, global business development, and member engagement – into a cohesive and accessible curriculum.
The goal is clear: to provide practical, flexible, and community-driven learning experiences that reflect how today’s professionals consume and apply information.
By unifying these efforts, NCA aims to strengthen its position as a trusted source of actionable industry intelligence. Members will benefit from enhanced access to research, regulatory updates, advocacy insights, and professional development tools – empowering them to navigate complexity, make informed decisions, and remain competitive in a fast-changing market.
Positioning for the Future
These combined initiatives – leadership expansion and educational transformation– signal a broader strategic evolution within NCA. As the confectionery industry continues to face shifting regulatory pressures, changing consumer expectations, and increasing competition, the association is investing in the structures and talent needed to lead with clarity and impact.
With a strengthened leadership team and a reimagined approach to member education, NCA is not only responding to change – it is actively shaping the future of the industry it represents.
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