Stacey Crosio joins Crosio & Associates

Russ Crosio, president and founder of Buford, Ga.-based Crosio and Associates, welcomed a familiar face to the company recently — his daughter, Stacey. As a sales associate, Stacey will be responsible for managing and assisting with all spare part and machine orders throughout North America. She also will be a key contact for the company’s clients.

Russ was naturally delighted when his daughter expressed interest in joining the family business. “Stacey will be a great asset to the company,” he said. “She’s very detail orientated, has great follow-through and I know will interact very effectively with our customers.”

Prior to joining the company, Stacey had worked for a law firm as a domestic/family law paralegal and real estate paralegal for several years. She received her education at North Georgia College and State University/Georgia Military College.

Scharffen Berger co-founder dies

Robert Steinberg (61), co-founder of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, died Sept. 17 in San Francisco of lymphoma, the company reported.

Steinberg was a family physician, Harvard University graduate and cook before being diagnosed with lymphoma in May 1989. Soon after, he became interested in chocolate making. In 1996, Steinberg founded Scharffen Berger with friend and former patient, John Scharffenberger. Steinberg was dedicated to creating quality chocolates using cacao beans with the best flavor profiles, the company said.

Brach’s exec and Kettle recipient Robert Allen dies

Former E.J. Brach and Sons Candy Co. executive Robert P. Allen (83) died last month on Monday, Sept. 8.

After graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with a degree in mechanical engineering, Allen worked in management for Mars Inc. in Pennsylvania, before moving with his family to Park Forest, Ill., to become a shift supervisor in the factory for Brach’s in Chicago. Allen retired in 1988 as v.p. of operations projects from Brach’s.

Throughout his confectionery career, Allen wrote papers for the candy industry and received three national awards, including Candy Industry’s Kettle Award in 1979. He was known for wearing his trademark bow ties.

 Born January 26, 1925 in New York City, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Bihuniak, in 1944. With six children and 15 grandchildren, Allen lived a fulfilling life as a family man and candy industry expert.