David L. Yale '76
Elected January 2024
Prior to his retirement in April 2023, David was a C-Level operating executive with a 45-year career in consumer package goods. He led teams that profitably built businesses in highly competitive categories (confections, salty snacks, beverages, and specialty foods) --at both large and small companies, public and private sectors. On David’s resume, one will find blue chip food companies like Nestle, Nabisco and Kraft and household brand names such as Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch, A&W Root Beer, Rolling Rock Beer, A.1 Steak Sauce, Planters, and Peeps(R).
Most recently, David served as President & COO of Just Born Quality Confections, a one-hundred-year-old, third generation, family-owned business that manufactures and markets iconic candy brands, Mike and Ike(R), Hot Tamales(R), Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews(R) and the afore mentioned Peeps(R). Prior to his successful twelve-year stint at Just Born, David was President & CEO of the Manischewitz Company, which was the leading processor of kosher foods in North America. In a little less than two years at the helm, he led a transformational business turnaround.
Since 2016, David has served on the Board of Trustees for Valley Youth House, a Pennsylvania based non-profit agency whose focus is to help disadvantaged young people build foundations for future growth and independence. At VYH, he chaired the Continuous Quality Improvement Committee from 2016-2023 and has been a member of the Compensation Committee since 2017. David also served on the Board of Directors for industry trade organizations: the National Confectioners Association (2016-2019), the Snack Food Association (1999-2001) and the American Peanut Council (1999-2001). He was a member of the President’s Advisory Council at Muhlenberg College from 2018-2023.
David graduated cum laude from Brandeis University with a BA in Politics and earned his MBA from Columbia University.