Hershey considering former Cadbury CEO Stitzer

Hershey has held talks with former Cadbury CEO Todd Stitzer about taking a seat on the board, according to Bloomberg. Interim chief John Bilbrey is the frontrunner for the CEO position, though Stitzer also is being considered for the role.

Hershey plans to name a permanent head before the end of June. One quoted possibility would be for Stitzer to join the Hershey board and mentor Bilbrey, who took the interim role after David West left to head Del Monte Foods.

“The board is committed to conducting an effective, expeditious and confidential search, the result of which will be shared in due course,” Hershey’s board said in an e-mailed statement. “It is not working within a specific timeframe.”

Stitzer spent almost three decades at Cadbury and left in 2010 after Kraft took over the company. Since leaving Cadbury, Stitzer has taken a role on the advisory board of Hamlin Capital Management investment advisory firm.