Aventura, FL — During an awards ceremony last evening at the association’s 2023 State of the Industry Conference, Kevin Jenkins and Sharon Montgomery were honored with the NCA’s Golden and Silver Candy Dish Awards.
Jenkins, president of Kahler-Senders Group, Inc., received the Golden Candy Dish, which is presented annually to a member of the confectionery broker community who has performed beyond the call of business to promote and grow the industry.
He noted that it was a “great honor” to receive the award and thanked his family for all of their support throughout his career.
“Kevin has displayed the unique ability to adapt to rapidly changing advancements in manufacturing and retail that are reshaping the confectionery industry,” Kathy Corcoran, vice-president at Premier Specialty, LLC and recipient of the 2022 Golden Candy Dish, said in presenting the award. “In good times and those of uncertainty and change like what we have recently experienced, Kevin has been a constant and key source of support for all.”
For more than 25 years, Jenkins has demonstrated his dedication to the confectionery industry and worked to ensure its successful future. An active participant on NCA’s Broker Advisory Council, he also volunteers his time for numerous industry groups, serving on various boards including the National Confectionery Sales Association and CandyRific, as well as several philanthropic organizations.
Jenkins is also an engaged member of the Western Association of Food Chains and the Consolidated Sales Network.
Montgomery was honored with the Silver Candy Dish, which recognizes a leader in confectionery manufacturing who has made significant contributions to growing the confectionery category in support of the broker community.
As Director of Sales and Marketing at Adams & Brooks, Inc., Montgomery is known for her ability to advance the industry’s objectives and goals by developing strategies and products to fit the needs of brokers and customers.
“Sharon’s brokers and colleagues say she always goes above and beyond — regardless of whether the request is small or large,” Lois Anthony, director of sales at Pez Candy, Inc. and 2022 Silver Candy Dish winner remarked. “She is known to advocate for programs and details that ensure brokers are set up to realize their goals.”
She is an active member of NCA’s Young Professionals Network and was named one of five Future Leaders in 2017. She continually encourages her own team of brokers to get involved with YPN, the Women’s Leadership Group and other NCA initiatives as part of their professional development.
“Sharon’s contributions to the industry are undeniable,” Anthony added. “She consistently displays extraordinary collaboration while striving for outstanding results each step along the way and is incredibly deserving of this award.”
