9 Employees of the National Confectioners Association Take Home $28 Million in Compensation

9 of the most highly compensated employees of the National Confectioners Association (a 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 organization is known for the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo – the largest trade show for candy and snacks) received $28 million in compensation from 2018-2025, with John Downs, the President and CEO receiving the largest bulk at $12 million.

John Downs:  Total Compensation 20118-2025:  $12 million

• 2025:  $1,704,037
• 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 2023-2025:  $2 million

• 2025:  $577,955
• 2024:  $549,698
• 2023:  $493,919

Elise Fenning:  Total Compensation 2018-2025:  $4 million

• 2025:  $597,995
• 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 2018-2025:  $3 million

• 2025:  $511,346
• 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 2023-2025:  $1 million

• 2025:  $383,572
• 2024:  $381,086
• 2023:  $297,981

Susan Whiteside:  Total Compensation 2018-2025:  $2 million

• 2025:  $393,770
• 2024:  $349,635
• 2023:  $312,691
• 2022:  $284,105
• 2021:  $270,427
• 2020:  Not Listed
• 2019:  $237,080
• 2018:  $220,545

Steve McCrodden:  Total Compensation 2022-2025:  $1 million

• 2025:  $347,329
• 2024:  $337,502
• 2023:  $302,457
• 2022:  $278,569

Lynn Wylie:  Total Compensation 2023-2025:  $1 million

• 2025:  $335,680
• 2024:  $290,861
• 2023:  $254,925

Tracy Thompson:  Total Compensation. 2018-2025:  $2 million

• 2025:  $331,393
• 2024:  $294,364
• 2023:  $285,170
• 2022:  $261,102
• 2021:  $254,101
• 2020:  $252,191
• 2019:  $226,829
• 2018:  $207,675