Remembering Doug Taylor

Bryan, OH — Candy Hall of Famer, National Confectioners Association Distinguished Service Award recipient and industry stalwart Doug Taylor, Sr. (DT) died Thursday, December 15, at the age of 72.

Born in Parkersburg, WV, he went on to graduate from The Ohio State University’s Executive Development Program. DT then returned to West Virginia to coach football and basketball, a passion he reconnected with later in life by helping Little League teams in his community.

He started his professional career with Procter and Gamble Co.’s (P&G) Food Division in 1964. During his tenure with P&G he won several outstanding sales awards and successfully test-marketed Pringles.

DT switched to the candy business in 1975 as national sales manager for Katharine Beecher Candies, where he developed a network of specialty food and wholesale brokers.

He later served as vice-president of sales and marketing for York Candy Kitchen before joining Spangler Candy Co. in 1980, where he eventually rose to the position of senior vice-president of sales & marketing.

In 1997, Taylor left Spangler and founded DT & Assoc., Ltd., an international sales and marketing company helping suppliers with national accounts and broker networks.

His contributions to the industry were innumerable. He served as President and Chairman of the National Confectionery Sales Assoc. from 2005 through 2009, and was a long-time board member.

For the NCA, he sat most recently on its Supplier Advisory Committee, and was also a past Chairman of the NCA/National Candy Wholesalers Assoc. (NCWA) Trade Relations Committee, Chairman and charter member of the NCA 25 by 95 Committee, and a member of the former National Food Brokers’ Assoc. (NFBA) Executive Committee.

For his dedication to the confectionery business, DT was honored with a host of prestigious awards, beginning in 1983 with the NCBA Silver Candy Dish, followed by the Gold Candy Dish in 1986. Two years later, he received the Pioneer Award from the NFBA, and was named a Dean of the Confectionery Industry by the NCWA.

In 1995, his commitment to the category earned him induction into the Candy Hall of Fame. Earlier this year in 2011, he was honored with the NCA’s Distinguished Service award.

Speaking about the motivation behind his unwavering industry support, DT said: “I have always felt it absolutely necessary to put something back into my community and industry. Thus the reason for my participation in industry efforts and coaching all sports at the Little League level for my community. Never forget how you have been helped both personally and professionally in your lifetime.”

Candy & Snack TODAY Executive Editor Steve Forster said: “DT was always a gentleman, whether in agreement or not, and always had the interests of the confectionery category at heart. He was responsible for driving up the value of the NCSA’s annual scholarships, and they will stand as testaments to his energy. He was a good friend and mentor to so many people, and he will be sorely missed.”

DT is survived by his wife Linda; two children, Doug Jr. and Beth; and grandson, Chance.