In making the announcement, Lenny said, "Ray has been a driving force at Hershey for the past 40 years. He has played a major role in Hershey's success through his leadership of the global sourcing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics functions. Equally as important, Ray's contribution and leadership go well beyond just our company. For 40 years, Ray's commitment to the community and the Milton Hershey School are without equal. On all of these dimensions, Ray will be deeply missed."
Brace joined the Hershey Company in 1967 as an industrial engineer and held a variety of positions in manufacturing, including assistant to the plant manager and plant manager of the Hershey Plant. From 1987 until 1997, he served as VP of manufacturing. He was promoted to Vice VP of operations in 1998 and was named senior VP of operations in 1999. He was named to his current position in 2004.
A native of Pittsburgh, Brace received a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University. He is a member of Alpha Pi Mu, the National Industrial Engineering honorary society. Brace is chairman of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association Board of Directors.
