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Industry News

Chocolate Manufacturers Select New President

Former ITC Chairman to Lead Major Industry Trade Association

Vienna, VA - The Chocolate Manufacturers Association this week announced its selection of Lynn Munroe Bragg as its new president. Bragg is the former chairman and vice chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission. She has served as a Republican presidential appointee to the ITC since 1994.

Hank Blommer, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board and CEO of Blommer Chocolate Company welcomed Bragg to the industry. "The U.S. chocolate and cocoa industry is proud of the work we have been able to accomplish together with regard to research and promotion of chocolate and sustainable, responsible cocoa growing," he said. "Lynn will help us focus these efforts as we move forward on the many issues affecting chocolate and cocoa."

CMA is the major trade association representing U.S. companies who manufacture and distribute cocoa and chocolate products. The Association funds and administers research, promotes chocolate to the general public and serves as an advocate of the industry before Congress and government agencies. CMA also focuses on the world-wide interests and issues affecting the production of cocoa.

"I am pleased to join the Chocolate Manufacturers Association as its president," said Bragg. "I expect to help CMA continue to successfully meet its mission of positively representing the U.S. chocolate and cocoa industry to consumers, opinion leaders, elected officials, regulatory agencies and other government bodies."

As president of CMA, Bragg will be responsible for the overall performance and success of the Association and meeting its goals / objectives and fulfilling its strategic mandate. She also will provide leadership and guidance to the American Cocoa Research Institute, the research arm of the organization, and work closely with the World Cocoa Foundation, the non-profit farmer outreach program founded by CMA and its sister organization, the National Confectioners Association.

"When the CMA Board of Directors announced their decision to refine the Association's organizational structure last fall," said NCA President Larry Graham, "I agreed that it would allow for greater focus for both NCA and CMA while maintaining the close working relationship between the two. I look forward to working with Lynn on the important issues that affect both the chocolate and confectionery industries in the United States; her experience is a perfect compliment to the Associations."

Bragg has extensive background in government relations, public affairs, policy development and communications. Prior to her ITC appointment, she was in government affairs at the Edison Electric Institute and served as a senior aide in the U.S. Senate for a former Republican senator from Wyoming. She began her career with the Potomac Electric Power Company. Bragg holds a masters degree from Boston University and a BA from Mary Washington College.

Bragg is married with two children and resides in Chevy Chase, Md.

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