John Melin succeeds Pierson Clair as Brown & Haley CEO
John Melin, CEO
Pierson Clair, Former CEO
Effective March 1, 2022, John Melin will succeed Pierson Clair as CEO of Brown & Haley. Melin will be the fifth CEO in Brown & Haley’s 110-year history. Pierson is stepping down after a storied 50-year career in the chocolate and confection industry.
Melin becomes CEO after joining Brown & Haley in 2003 and serving as Chief Operating Officer and President since 2014. He has played a critical role in directing domestic and international sales, optimizing manufacturing capabilities, and introducing new products including the exciting new Roca® Bites and Almond Roca® Popcorn. “The last two years have presented challenges, but I can’t think of a more exciting time to lead Brown & Haley,” enthuses Melin. “With recent product innovations and completion of major capital upgrades, we have the capacity to build our classic Roca® and Roca® Bites businesses, as well as expand industrial toffee. The future is very bright.”
Prior to joining Brown & Haley, Melin held operating and consulting roles at Starbucks, Coinstar, and McKinsey & Company, where he served clients across retail, media, and natural resource industries. He holds M.Sc. and M.A. degrees in Economics from Oxford University and a B.Sc. in Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. “We have absolute confidence in John’s ability to guide our business,” said Anne Haley, Chairman of the Board. “We are very excited about the company’s future with John as CEO, especially growing our new Roca® Bites product line.”
Clair will play a continuing role as Senior Advisor and Vice-Chairman of the Board. He joined Brown & Haley in 1998, taking on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer in 2003. At Brown & Haley, he guided the company through innovative product launches and oversaw investments to modernize manufacturing. “We are enormously grateful to Pierson for his leadership,” stated Anne Haley. “He is a true professional who has carried the legacy of Harry Brown & J.C. Haley well.”
Clair began his confection career at Blommer Chocolate Company after graduating from Stanford University. His industry contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Kettle Award, NCA Advocate of the Year Award, and induction into the Candy Hall of Fame. The hallmark of his career has been investing in personal relationships.
Clair summarizes, “I’ve always sought to work with people who are ‘Bright, Ethical, Engaged and Loyal’. John is exactly this and the ideal person to lead Brown & Haley into the future.”
Brown & Haley is a Tacoma, Washington Food Company that has been making Almond Roca® since 1923. The chocolate-almond buttercrunch toffee and famous pink tin are favorites throughout the United States and ARE enjoyed in over 60 countries around the world.
