Executive Compensation at the National Confectioners Association (2024)

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 $28 million in 2024 (primarily from the expo and annual conference and membership dues although they did receive a $2.2 million grant from the government), spent $24 million (primarily on compensation for employees and conferences, conventions, and meetings), and has $20 million in net assets.  And, yet the NCA paid out $1.2-$1.7 million to the President and CEO, John H Downs, Jr annually from 2018-2024.  In addition, a $135,000 payment was made to his retirement plan in 2024. And, finally, NCA paid for first class and business class travel for Mr. Downs along with companion travel, and the “spousal expenses.”

31 employees received $8 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $260,000. However, only 20 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 9 most highly compensated listed below:

• $1,745,244:  John H Downs Jr, President and CEO
• $  549,698:  Brian McKeon, SVP, Public Policy
• $  524,026:  Elise Fennig, Chief of Staff, SVP, Operations
• $  453,513:  Chris Gindlesperger, VP, Public Affairs and Communications
• $  381,086:  Farida Mohamedshah, SVP, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
• $  349,635:  Susan Whiteside, VP of Integrated Marketing and Communication
• $  337,502:  Steve McCroddan, CFO
• $  294,364:  Tracy Thompson, VP, Finance
• $  290,861:  Lynn Wylie, VP, Industry Affairs

The 9 most highly compensated employees received $5 million in compensation, which means 22 employees received the remaining $3 million.  11 of the 22 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation while the remaining 11 employees received less than $100,000 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 $1.7 million in 2024; and $10 million in compensation from 2018-2024 while the 5 most highly compensated employees in 2024 received $19 million in compensation from 2018-2024:

John Downs:  Total Compensation 20118-2024:  $10 million

• 2024:  $1,745,244
• 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 2023-2024:  $1 million

• 2024:  $549,698
• 2023:  $493,919

Elise Fenning:  Total Compensation 2018-2024:  $4 million

• 2024:  $542,026
• 2023:  $476,014
• 2022:  $444,605
• 2021:  $432,167
• 2020:  $390,471
• 2019:  $327,870
• 2018:  $272,254

Chris Gindlesperger:  Total Compensation 2018-2024:  $3 million

• 2024:  $453,513
• 2023:  $394,826
• 2022:  $368,592
• 2021:  $365,801
• 2020:  $333,615
• 2019:  $292,256
• 2018:  $249,665

Farida Mohamedshah:  Total Compensation 2023-2024:  $1 million

• 2024:  $381,086
• 2023:  $297,981

Note:  Highly compensated employees in any of the years 2018-2023 but not in 2024 are not included in the list above.

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

• $1,143,923:  Convexx, of Las Vegas, NV for trade show management
• $  387,500:  Locust Street Group, of Washington, DC for public relations
• $  345,933  :  Olson Frank and Weeda, of Washington, DC for legal/lobbying
• $  199,875:  Brownstein Hyatt Farber, of Denver, CO for lobbying
• $  195,000:  Penta Group, of Washington, DC for data driven strategies

To read the IRS Form 990 (2023 for the year ending March 30, 2024), click here.