The FCIA named Brad Kintzer, chief chocolate maker for TCHO in Berkeley, California, to lead the board. He replaces current board president Clark Guittard, whose two-year term ends on December 31.
“I am very pleased to hand the baton to a dynamic new leadership team,” said Guittard, who will stay on as a board member through 2020. (Any FCIA member can run for a seat on the board or on a committee.)
Kintzer spearheads TCHO’s mission to focus on the flavor of the cacao, as opposed to simply the origin or the cacao percentage in a finished product. The 15-year-old company operates 10 ‘mini-chocolate flavor labs’ in four origin countries (in West Africa and Latin America), where farmers on the ground learn to identify a ‘better quality bean.’
From Seattle, Chocolopolis founder Lauren Adler will join as vice president. She opened her shop in 2008, arguably a tipping point for the craft chocolate industry.
Additionally, the FCIA board welcomes Daniel Domingo, a trader for ECOM Trading and Atlantic Cocoa and a certified cocoa grader for the Intercontinental Exchange Futures. He brings more than a decade of experience in the technical and flavor side of the business, having developed flavor labs in Ecuador and Côte d’Ivoire.
Together, the freshly appointed trio will “build on the great foundation Clark Guittard has established during his term,” FCIA executive director Bill Guyton told ConfectioneryNews.
“Each officer has specific and unique talents,” he said. “Brad brings creativity and an international perspective. Lauren is a champion for our associate level members, many whom are seeking ways to expand their businesses. Dan brings expertise in cocoa supply chains and financial planning. I feel fortunate to work with these officers and our other board and committee members.”
Founded in 2007, the FCIA focuses solely on the fine chocolate market, with members ranging from growers to chocolate makers and chocolatiers, plus suppliers, pastry chefs, specialty retailers and writers.
The US premium chocolate market has surpassed $3bn and comprises about 15% of the full market, according to the organization.
