WASHINGTON – The National Confectioners Association (NCA) announced today the recipients of the 2025 Golden and Silver Candy Dish Awards. Lyndi Verstrate, business manager at Shankman & Associates, will receive the Golden Candy Dish Award, and Mike Farley, vice president of sales at Goetze’s Candy Company, will be honored with the Silver Candy Dish Award. These awards celebrate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional ability to strengthen the connection between manufacturers, brokers, and retail customers.
“The Candy Dish Awards are a reflection of the incredible talent and dedication within the confectionery industry,” John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. “Lyndi and Mike represent the best of our community, demonstrating leadership and collaboration between manufacturers and broker sales agents to inspire progress and innovation.”
More About Lyndi Verstrate
A Broker Who Stands Apart
With a career spanning more than 32 years in the convenience store industry, Verstrate’s ability to cultivate strong relationships and drive category growth has made her a standout broker in the confectionery industry. After beginning her career with Speedway, Verstrate progressed to leadership roles with Exit 76 Corporation/J&H Family Stores and Schmuckal Oil. She has spent eight years excelling in sales and leadership at Shankman & Associates.
“I am truly honored – and honestly a bit stunned – to be recognized with the Golden Candy Dish Award,” Verstrate said. “With so many talented salespeople in the broker community, this recognition means so much to me.”
Bio in Brief
Verstrate’s career began as a cashier and quickly progressed into leadership roles. She’s managed multiple categories through the years in various roles as store, district, category, and marketing manager. Since joining Shankman & Associates, Verstrate has been a driving force behind sales growth and relationship-building across multiple categories.
More About Mike Farley
A True Partner
Since joining Goetze’s Candy Company in 2019, Farley has led national sales operations and managed a dozen separate broker partners, driving revenue growth and creating strategic partnerships. After launching his career with the broker sales agency François Schwartz in 1986, he spent 22 years at Hershey Foods, with subsequent roles at Godiva Chocolatier, Acosta Sales & Marketing, and Perfetti Van Melle. An active member of NCA, Farley has contributed to initiatives like the Sweets & Snacks Expo and industry mentorship programs.
“I’m honored to receive this award from our broker community,” Farley said. “This recognition reflects the strong relationships and teamwork that have shaped my journey in the confectionery industry. I sincerely thank NCA and our broker network for their unwavering support and shared passion. Every day in this industry, working with our incredible broker partners is ‘Always A Treat!’”
Bio in Brief
Farley’s career in the confectionery industry spans more than 38 years, beginning with his work stocking shelves at a local grocery store and interning with Procter & Gamble during college. Today, Farley leads sales functions at Goetze’s Candy Company, drives innovation, and mentors the next generation of industry leaders.
About the Candy Dish Awards
The Candy Dish Awards are presented annually by NCA’s broker community, recognizing one broker and one manufacturer who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in confectionery sales, marketing, and management. Recipients are selected based on outstanding leadership qualities, their ability to build relationships, and cultivate new business opportunities.
The 2025 Candy Dish Awards will be presented during the State of the Industry Conference, March 2-4, at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort in Aventura, Fla.
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About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the $54 billion U.S. confectionery industry. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S. confectionery industry has made a commitment to increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.
