Astor Chocolate Hires Charles G. Duggan II, MAS

Astor Chocolate, based in Lakewood, N.J., has hired Charles G. Duggan II, MAS, as national accounts manager, corporate sales division. In this new role, Duggan will be responsible for growing revenue through wider distribution of Astor Chocolate gifts and giveaway items through the company’s distributor partners.

“During his tenure in the promotional products industry, Charles has built and maintained lasting partnerships at all levels with key distributor customers, and this was very attractive to us as we were looking to fill the position of national accounts manager,” said Howard Cubberly, vice president of corporate sales for Astor Chocolate. “Astor is a bit of a hidden gem, and Charles can help get the word out in a big way. His experience gives him the ability to sell quality in both the promotional gift and giveaway categories. Since he understands the different types of distributor needs, he can look at how each segment goes to market and apply the right product and program to the right opportunity.”

A 20-year industry veteran, Duggan is the owner of lookwhatWOW!, a creative solutions company focusing on communications advertising tools, which he will use to not only gain greater exposure for the company but also to give distributors the tools necessary to sell the Astor line. Previously, he spent the last two years as the director of business development for Shelton, Connecticut-based Greystone World Resource. He also spent nearly five years as director of sales for Cape Girardeau, Missouri-based Magna-Tel, Inc. and more than 12 years as key accounts director for St. Louis, Missouri-based Alexander Manufacturing. An active industry volunteer, Duggan is currently serving as the vice chair of marketing services for the PPAI board of directors class of 2013 and is a member of the Promotional Products Association Midwest (PPAM) board of directors.

“When I learned about the open position at Astor, I was immediately intrigued because of the company’s reputation in the promotional products industry and beyond for producing such high-quality chocolate,” Duggan said. “But what impressed most about Astor is its corporate responsibility; it has one of the largest solar energy farms in New Jersey that produces 75 percent of the manufacturing facility’s annual power needs. Additionally, the by-product from the turbines is hot water, which is then recycled to heat and cool the factory. Astor is also a union shop and has a commitment to social accountability. These principles of responsibility truly align with my values. Combine this with a product that everyone loves, and it was an ideal fit. I look forward to growing the company’s sales and building its reputation throughout the promotional products industry.”

Duggan can be reached via email at cduggan@astorchocolate.com.

About Astor Chocolate – Corporate Sales Division:
A family-owned business founded in 1950, Astor Chocolate creates gourmet, kosher
confections made from premium Belgian chocolate. The Corporate Sales Division serves the promotional products industry by combining Astor's trademarked chocolate with elegant customized packaging to create memorable corporate gifts and promotions. The corporate product line includes handmade truffles in personalized boxes, custom-molded chocolates, chocolate bars with custom-printed wrappers, table favor items and a variety of gourmet snacks that are a sweet choice for holiday and thank-you gifts, fundraisers, corporate events, party favors, tradeshows and more.

For more information, visit http://www.astorline.com.