| UNITED STATES |
| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
| Washington, D.C. 20549 |
| ______________________________ |
| FORM 8-K |
| CURRENT REPORT |
| Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the |
| Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
| May 14, 2011 |
| Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) |
| The Hershey Company |
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
| Delaware |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
| 1-183 | 23-0691590 |
| (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) |
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (717) 534-4200 |
| Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: |
| [ ] | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
[ ] | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
[ ] | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
[ ] | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers |
On May 18, 2011, The Hershey Company (“Company”) announced that John P. Bilbrey, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, has been named interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 17, 2011. Mr. Bilbrey replaces David J. West, President and Chief Executive Officer, who has informed the Board of Directors that he is leaving the Company to accept a position at another company. Mr. West, who is also a director of the Company, will continue in his role as director and have the title of Executive Vice President until his departure on June 13, 2011.
Mr. Bilbrey, 54, joined the Company in November 2003 as Senior Vice President, President Hershey International. He was promoted to Senior Vice President, President International Commercial Group in November 2005, to Senior Vice President, President Hershey North America in December 2007 and to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in November 2010. He is a director of McCormick & Company, Incorporated.
In connection with Mr. Bilbrey’s promotion, the independent members of the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Executive Organization Committee of the Board, approved increases in Mr. Bilbrey’s base salary to $1,060,000 and 2011 annual incentive program (“AIP”) target award to 120% of base salary. Mr. Bilbrey also was awarded 71,275 stock options with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our Common Stock on May 18, 2011 and 6,520, 21,640 and 16,530 performance stock units (“PSUs”) for the performance cycles ending in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Additional information relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, including information relating to stock options and PSUs, can be found in the Company’s 2011 proxy statement.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: May 18, 2011
| THE HERSHEY COMPANY | |
By: /s/ Burton H. Snyder | |
Burton H. Snyder, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |