Peter Kempton Jr. Named to Candy Hall of Fame Board

Do you have fun at work? Peter Kempton Jr. sure does. But who wouldn’t as a Center Store Sr. Category Manager? What does that mean in laymen’s terms? He’s in charge of candy! (snacks and grocery items too.) Peter celebrates 13 years with TA next month. He made his way to the candy aisle by way of managing a store in Wheeling, West Virginia. His journey has been sweet ever since.

Just last month he was appointed to the board of the NCSA Candy Hall of Fame! He was the first board member to come from the retail side of candy. “Most come from the manufacturing and brokering side of the business,” he says. Peter is the guy at work you want to know. Especially if you, well, er, like candy! His office is full of it. Lucky for Peter, he claims to not be a candy person. And chocolate is not his thing. But when pressed to name a favorite, he doesn’t hesitate. Skittles. 

According to Peter, innovation is endless in the candy field; but it’s hard to knock the money-makers off their pedestal. “At the end of the day, Reese’s, Peanut M&M’s and Snickers will always be at the top. They will always lead the way.” 

As a Candy Hall of Fame board member, Peter will help decide who merits the honor of being inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame. He comes with experience. He’s judged many confectionary competitions. And he received a highly sought-after leadership award himself from the National Confectionary Association. Only two are chosen every year. Guess what the winners receive…… a crystal candy dish! 

Clearly, Peter loves what he does and the people he connects with. “If you can’t have fun in this job, you need to find a new job. I always say candy people are a ton of fun. There are such good people in the industry.”