Jelly Belly Names General Counsel

FAIRFIELD, Calif., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jelly Belly Candy Company headquartered in Fairfield, Calif., announced today the appointment of John Di Giusto to a new position of General Counsel for the candy manufacturing firm.  Best known as the maker of the firm's flagship brand Jelly Belly® jelly beans, the company manufactures gourmet confections including gummies, chocolates, licorice, seasonal sweets and novelties at its three plants.

The decision to bring general legal counsel in-house at the company was prompted by the growing international and domestic initiatives of the company.  Currently Jelly Belly distributes its products in 76 countries around the globe and has facilities in California, Illinois, Hamburg Germany, Rayong Thailand and Shanghai China.

"We enjoy exceptional brand awareness for our products here at home as well as overseas. The opportunities for growth are tremendous, and we see huge strides ahead of us. The complexities of managing and developing a multinational brand, coupled with strong domestic sales, prompted the decision to grow our executive team by creating an in-house counsel position," said Robert Simpson, Jr., COO and President of Jelly Belly Candy Company.

"We are very happy to have John Di Giusto join our company. His work representing us in the last five years while with Boudin Jones Inc. has been exceptional and a valuable aid to our company," Simpson said.

Di Giusto will be based at the company's global headquarters in Fairfield, Calif., beginning in August.

Jelly Belly Candy Company is a leading candy manufacturer. It has been in operation since 1898 and is currently run by the fourth and fifth generations of the candy empire. The creation of Jelly Belly jelly beans launched the company into worldwide prominence after Ronald Reagan was seen eating them on the presidential campaign trail in 1980.  The company currently makes more than 130 flavors, the largest selection on the market, plus 100 other gourmet candies including jells, gummies, chocolate covered treats, and seasonal sweets for the major holidays. Headquartered in Fairfield, Calif., the company operates plants in Illinois, California and Thailand. More information is available at JellyBelly.com.

SOURCE Jelly Belly Candy Company