Theo Chocolate has announced changes to its leadership team, which it believes will enable the company to continue on its trajectory as one of the fastest growing brands in the natural and organic chocolate category.
Debra Music has been appointed chief marketing officer, Dennis Macray has been appointed chief operating officer, Stefan Wypyszyk has been appointed v.p. of Theo innovations, and Brian McGovern has been named v.p. of sales.
In his new role, Macray will join Music and other key leadership personnel as a member of Theo’s executive team, driving business strategy and delivering on the company’s mission to create high-quality products while working to improve livelihoods and protect the environment in farm and factory communities.
Wypyszyk and McGovern will be part of Theo’s broader senior management group, supporting the company’s expansion efforts.
“The changes we’ve made at the leadership level reflect the growth and evolution of our business,” says Joe Whinney, Theo Chocolate founder and ceo. “Collectively Debra, Dennis, Stefan, and Brian bring significant industry experience and knowledge to the team. They’re also passionate champions of our mission, which remains vital to our continued success.”
In addition to distributing chocolate products in all 50 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, Theo recently announced the launch of Violetamine, the first commercially available offering in a new line of functional ingredients manufactured by Theo Innovations, a division of the company dedicated to leveraging the health benefits of cocoa.
Debra Music
As chief marketing officer, Music will oversee Theo’s product development, sales and distribution channel management, customer service, and marketing communications functions.
She previously acted as Theo’s v.p. sales and marketing and has been a key strategic leader at the company since its founding in 2006.
Having served on Theo’s executive team since 2009, Music’s new role positions her as the leader of a growing communications and sales staff.
Prior to joining Theo, Music was a brand and cause marketing consultant for Fortune 100 companies.
Dennis Macray
In his new role as coo, Macray will oversee Theo’s day-to-day functions, including its supply chain strategy, chocolate production, and factory management.
He previously served as Theo’s v.p. of sustainable operations.
Prior to joining Theo, Macray spent eight years as director of ethical sourcing at Starbucks, where he led coffee and cocoa sourcing practices, strategic NGO partnerships, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Stefan Wypyszyk
As v.p. of Theo Innovations, Wypyszyk will be responsible for building the company’s business in the functional ingredient market — developing specialized offerings for food, dietary supplement, and cosmetic product manufacturers.
Wypyszyk was promoted from his previous role as Theo Innovations sales director.
Prior to joining Theo, he held management roles at nutraceutical companies like the Martin Bauer Group and Stiebs. In addition, Wypyszyk served a three-year term on the American Herbal Products Association’s board of trustees.
Brian McGovern
In his new role as v.p. of sales, McGovern will be responsible for directing Theo’s sales strategy and managing relationships across the company’s grocery, drug, and specialty store distribution channels in the United States and Canada.
He previously held sales leadership roles at Elevation Brands, Lucini Italia, and The J.M. Smucker Co. McGovern brings to the position a proven history of expanding distribution at food companies in the natural and organic category.
Since 2006, Theo Chocolate has been committed to responsibly sourcing and manufacturing the highest quality chocolate in the world. As the first bean-to-bar maker of organic, Fair Trade, Fair for Life, and non-GMO certified chocolate in North America, Theo produces chocolate products while working to improve livelihoods and protect the environment in farm and factory communities alike.
