\ Exhibit 99
[LOGO OF HERHSEY FOODS APPEARS HERE] HERSHEY FOODS NEWS
Hershey Foods Corporation
100 Cyrstal A Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
E-Mail: [email protected]
---------------
http://www.hersheys.com
===============================================================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
December 11, 2000 John C. Long
717-534-7631
FINANCIAL CONTACT:
James A. Edris
717-534-7556
William F. Christ Named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Hershey Foods Corporation
Kenneth L. Wolfe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hershey Foods
Corporation, today announced that William F. Christ has been named Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. In a related
announcement, Frank Cerminara has been named to succeed Christ as Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Hershey Foods Corporation.
Christ replaces Michael F. Pasquale, who has resigned. Pasquale's resignation is
unrelated to the financial performance of the Corporation, which continues to
point to a good finish for the year.
In making this announcement, Wolfe said, "I am very pleased to announce Bill
Christ's appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Bill brings a wide range of experience as well as the respect of the financial
community and our customers to this position. With our performance in 2000
continuing to progress well and our future looking bright, Bill brings solid
leadership skills as well as broad experience and in-depth knowledge of our
business to the task of leading our company forward."
Christ, a 31-year veteran of Hershey Foods, most recently served as Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation. He joined
Hershey Foods in 1969 and worked in a succession of finance positions, including
Vice President, Finance and Administration, in the Corporation's Hershey
Chocolate U.S.A. and Hershey International divisions. Christ was named
President, Hershey International, in 1988 and became Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer, Hershey Foods Corporation, in 1994, adding the position
of Corporate Treasurer in 1997.
- more -
<PAGE>
Christ, a native of Johnstown, Pa., received a B.S. in Business Administration
from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an M.A. in Business
from the Pennsylvania State University. He also attended the International
Management Development Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland, and the International
Management Institute, Geneva, Switzerland. He served over four years in the
United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain. In 1991, Christ was
named an Alumni Fellow of the Pennsylvania State University. He also is a member
of the Advisory Board of F. M. Global Insurance Company. Christ and his wife,
Carol, reside in Lebanon, Pa.
# # #
