Move Made to Keep Just Born a Family Business
The makers of Peeps and Mike and Ike candy, Just Born Quality Confections, are bringing on independent members to the company board in an effort to ensure the family continues to run company founded in 1923.
“Only three percent of family-run businesses survive to the fourth generation,” said David Shaffer, a third-generation family member, Co-CEO and Chairman of the newly expanded board in a statement. “Creating an independent Board of Directors will help keep Just Born a family-owned business for many years to come.”
Just Born faced union contract issues last year, including a strike that ended without a contract after the company started hiring replacement workers, according to The Morning Call.
The five newly appointed board members include:
- Victoria Barnard, President at Foot Traffic USA, LLC
- Wendy Burden, Principal at Burden Strategic Advisors
- Cathy Carroll, President at Legacy Onward, Inc.
- Jim Crawford, Chairman & CEO at Behrhorst & Crawford, Ltd
- Chris Weiler, President & CEO at Weiler Corporation
The company, based in Bethlehem, Pa., said in a statement that:
The primary purpose of the board will be to provide guidance and direction on strategic planning, capital planning, and succession planning. The board will meet quarterly, with the initial meeting scheduled for later this month.