Hernquist adds another resignation to Hershey's list

HERSHEY, Pa. Another Hershey executive is leaving the confectioner for greener pastures.

The company announced Friday that Thomas Hernquist, senior vice president and global chief growth officer, has resigned from the company, effective December 31, 2007.

“[Hernquist] has brought a tremendous passion to continuing our heritage of making a difference in the community and in leading industry efforts to drive positive change in the world’s cocoa-growing regions,” said chief executive officer Richard Lenny.

Hernquist joined Hershey in 2003 as senior vice president, chief marketing officer, where he led the growth in Hershey’s core brands and overall confectionery portfolio in North America.

Hernquist is one of several executives that resigned this year. The most recent resignation came from the company’s senior vice president and chief people officer, Marcella Arline.

Current chief executive officer Lenny will retire the same day as Hernquist.