Executive Compensation at the National Confectioners Association (2023)

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (501 (c) 6) that promotes chocolate, candy, gum, and mints along with the companies that make these treats. Based in Washington, DC, the NCA focuses on 7 key areas:

• Public Policy and Government Affairs
• Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
• Industry Affairs and the Sweets & Snacks Expo
• International Business Development
• Meetings and Membership
• Public Affairs and Communications
• Administration and Finance

A small trade association by numbers:  the NCA raised $23 million in 2023 (primarily from the expo and annual conference and membership dues although they did receive a $1.2 million grant from the government), spent $21 million (primarily on compensation for employees and conferences, conventions, and meetings), and has $15 million in net assets.  And, yet the NCA paid out $1.2-$1.6 million to the President and CEO, John H Downs, Jr annually from 2018-2023.  In addition, a $250,000 payment was made to his retirement plan in 2023. And, finally, NCA paid for first class and business class travel for Mr. Downs along with companion travel, and the “spousal expenses.”

33 employees received $8 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $240,000. However, only 19 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 9 most highly compensated listed below:

• $1,468,200:  John H Downs Jr, President and CEO
• $  493,919:  Brian McKeon, SVP, Public Policy
• $  476,014:  Elise Fennig, Chief of Staff, SVP, Operations
• $  394,826:  Chris Gindlesperger, VP, Public Affairs and Communications
• $  312,691:  Susan Whiteside, VP of Integrated Marketing and Communication
• $  302,457: Steve McCroddan, CFO
• $  297,981:  Farida Mohamedshah, SVP, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
• $  285,170:  Tracy Thompson, VP, Finance
• $  254,925:  Lynn Wylie, VP, Industry Affairs

The 9 most highly compensated employees received $4.5 million in compensation.

5 of the 9 most highly compensated employees are female while 4 are male. The most highly compensated employee was John Downs, who received $1.5 million in 2023; and $8 million in compensation from 2018-2023 while the 5 most highly compensated employees in 2023 received nearly $16 million in compensation from 2018-2023:

John Downs:  Total Compensation 20118-2023:  $8 million

• 2023:  $1,468,200
• 2022:  $1,592,720
• 2021:  $1,174,277
• 2020:  $1,210,132
• 2019:  $1,244,112
• 2018:  $1,200,458

Brian McKeon:  Total Compensation 2023:  $0.4 million

• 2023:  $493,919

Elise Fenning:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3.5 million

• 2023:  $476,014
• 2022:  $444,605
• 2021:  $432,167
• 2020:  $390,471
• 2019:  $327,870
• 2018:  $272,254

Chris Gindlesperger:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $2 million

• 2023:  $394,826
• 2022:  $368,592
• 2021:  $365,801
• 2020:  $333,615
• 2019:  $292,256
• 2018:  $249,665

Susan Whiteside:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $1.5 million

• 2023:  $312,691
• 2022:  $284,105
• 2021:  $270,427
• 2020:  Not Listed
• 2019:  $237,080
• 2018:  220,545

Note:  Highly compensated employees in 2018-2022 but not in 2023 are not included in the list above.

16 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five highest listed below:

• $1,148,732:  Convexx, of Las Vegas, NV for trade show management
• $  460,025:  Propress, of Cleveland, OH for publishing
• $  425,000:  MDG, of San Diego, CA for expo advertising services
• $  295,841. Freeman, of Dallas, TX for trade show contact work
• $  267,929:  Olson Frank and Weeda, of Washington, DC for legal/lobbying

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022 for the year ending March 30, 2023), click here.