Troy Pearley of Divine Chocolate joins Fairtrade America Board of Directors

Troy Pearley, EVP General Manage of Divine Chocolate U.S.A. Divine Chocolate is a unique chocolate company not only because it is Fairtrade certified, but also because it is co-owned by the Ghanaian farmers who grow the cocoa. 

Pearley joined Divine Chocolate U.S.A. as director of sales in 2012, bringing 15 years of experience in premium chocolate sales, and progressed to vice president of sales in 2014. He has made a significant contribution to the growth of Divine Chocolate, which reached over $10 million  in revenue in 2017. Pearley has also served as a member of the Divine Chocolate Board of Directors. 

Prior to joining Divine Chocolate Pearley achieved notable success in sales management at Godiva and Ghirardelli. Outside of the chocolate world, he thrived in roles at Odwalla, Pepperidge Farm and Ralston Purina. As a testament to both his professional skills and dedication to excellence, Troy has earned numerous accolades over the span of his career, including the Sales Person of the Year award at Ghirardelli Chocolate in 2005. He is currently a Chocolate Council member of the National Confectioners Association (NCA). 

"I am very proud to be joining Fairtrade America's Board of Directors," says Pearley. "Fairtrade is a critical component of Divine Chocolate, and I hope my contributions will grow the amount of goods certified farmers can sell in the U.S. 

At Divine, I feel I'm able to be part of a force for positive change. I've had the privilege of visiting the Kuapa Kokoo farmers in Ghana who partially own Divine. I can see for myself the difference Divine's four income streams, which includes the Fairtrade Premium, is making. I love being a part of that and welcome the challenge of extending my impact to farmers across the Fairtrade system." 

The current Fairtrade America board chair, Tim Beaty, remarked "We are extremely honored to welcome Troy to the board. Troy's history in a variety of FMCG's, coupled with his commitment to farmers and workers, will serve Fairtrade America well as we head into a new decade." 

Source: Fairtrade America