Jelly Belly president Simpson to retire; enter the fifth generation

09-Mar-2015 - Last updated on 09-Mar-2015 at 13:21 GMT

Lisa Rowland Brasher appointed Jelly Belly president as Bomb Simpson announces retirement

Lisa Rowland Brasher will become the fifth generation of the Goeltiz Rowland family to lead Jelly Belly as president Bob Simpson announces his retirement.

Simpson will leave his post as president and chief operating officer of the firm at the end of this month after 15 years at Jelly Belly. He joined the company following a 30-year career at supermarket chain Raley’s.

Lisa Rowland Brasher – fifth generation of the Goeltiz Rowland family candy making family – has been named CEO and president of Jelly Belly. She will report to her father, chairman of the board Herman G. Rowland, Sr.

Her great grandfather Gustav Goelitz left Germany for the US in 1869 and became the first known candy maker in the family.

Rowland Brasher has been at the company for 33 years in various positions in human resources and later as corporate director.

“We intend to remain a family company, and I’m proud that the fifth and sixth generations are stepping up to drive the business forward. I have great confidence that this appointment will position the company for successive generations to carry on the 146-year tradition of candy manufacturing,” said Herman Rowland, Sr.