Mary Beth West, Hershey
Mary Beth West has been named senior vice-president and chief growth officer of The Hershey Co.

HERSHEY, PA. — Mary Beth West has been named senior vice-president and chief growth officer of The Hershey Co., effective May 1. In her new role, Ms. West will oversee Hershey’s growth strategy, including insights and analytics, strategy, marketing excellence functions, innovation, research and development, mergers and acquisitions and The Hershey Experience, the company said.

Ms. West most recently was executive vice-president and chief customer and marketing officer at J.C. Penney Company, Inc. For more than 20 years, she led businesses and marketing at Mondelez International, Inc., previously a part of Kraft Foods, including roles as chief category and marketing officer and president of both its North American beverage and grocery businesses.

“Mary Beth will be a great addition to our executive team,” said Michele Buck, president and chief executive officer of Hershey. “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.”