NCSA Welcomes Four New Board Members

The National Confectioners Association added leaders from Spangler, Mars Snacking, Ferrara and HWY Partners to its board, and named its 2027 executive team.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in People

The National Confectioners Association (NCSA) welcomed four new board members and announced its 2027 Executive Leadership Team. Mike Gilroy and Scott Miller were re-elected to the board, and Fran Ansell of Ferrara Candy Company was welcomed as secretary, succeeding Mary Beth Lane.

Why it matters

The appointments place sales, supply chain and senior executives from major candy makers and a consulting firm in leadership roles at the trade group representing the U.S. confectionery industry. The changes set the group's direction for its next executive term beginning in 2027.

Scott Miller brings more than 35 years of consumer packaged goods and confectionery experience, while Mike Gilroy has nearly 30 years of sales experience, according to the NCSA announcement. The release does not give the terms of the appointments or the board's stated priorities for 2027.

The players

National Confectioners Association (NCSA)

The NCSA is the trade association representing the U.S. candy and confectionery industry, advocating on policy and industry issues for its member companies.

Mike Gilroy

Mike Gilroy is vice president of industry engagement and sponsorship for Mars Snacking, a division of Mars, Incorporated, which makes many well-known candy brands.

Scott Miller

Scott Miller is a senior leadership team member at Spangler Candy Company, a candy maker known for brands such as Dum Dums lollipops.

Fran Ansell

Fran Ansell is an executive at Ferrara Candy Company, the maker of brands including Brach's and Lemonheads.

The details

The NCSA added Raul Francisco, Ryan Miller, Mike Gilroy and Scott Miller to its board, with Gilroy and Scott Miller re-elected. Fran Ansell of Ferrara Candy Company was named secretary, succeeding Mary Beth Lane, and the group also announced its 2027 Executive Leadership Team.

2026-11-11
NCSA announced the new board members and its 2027 Executive Leadership Team.
2027: The new NCSA Executive Leadership Team takes office.

Industry Leadership

The NCSA is the principal trade association for the U.S. candy industry, and its board is drawn from major manufacturers including Spangler, Mars and Ferrara. Routine board rotations like this one place the same large candy makers in leadership positions year after year.

The leadership changes have no direct effect on consumer candy prices or product availability in the near term. Their practical impact depends on policy and industry decisions the board makes after the 2027 team takes office.

The takeaway

Leadership changes at trade groups often signal where an industry's policy priorities will go, so the composition of the NCSA board is worth tracking over the coming year. The people named here represent a mix of sales, supply chain and executive experience across major candy makers.