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John Taylor is the new chief operating officer at Askinosie Chocolate.
John Taylor is the new chief operating officer at Askinosie Chocolate.

Askinosie Chocolate taps Drury exec as new COO

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Askinosie Chocolate hired Drury University professor and executive John Taylor as its next chief operating officer.

Taylor, who completed his stint yesterday as executive director of Drury’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship, succeeds three-year Askinosie Chocolate COO Allison Cash, who resigned for a new job.

According to Taylor, Askinosie Chocolate CEO Shawn Askinosie was looking for someone familiar with the operations of the global manufacturing company to take on the position. Taylor has worked with Askinosie through Chocolate University, a partnership between Askinosie Chocolate and Drury designed to teach Ozarks children about business through the lens of a chocolate factory.

“Familiarity with the company and its mission and what it’s trying to achieve, not just from a business point of view but from a social justice point of view, is key to being part of the company,” Taylor said. “It was important for him to know that somebody coming on would be able to hit the ground running as far as understanding what the company is fundamentally all about.”

A small-batch manufacturer, Askinosie Chocolate is known for its profit-sharing arrangements with farmers in Ecuador, Tanzania, Honduras and the Philippines. The company was among 25 businesses on a Forbes list early this year of America’s best small companies. Forbes reported the company’s revenue at roughly $2 million.

“The role of COO here is to make sure that vision is translated into quality chocolate, quality programs, interested, engaged employees and financial stability,” he said. “Even in my first week here, I was incredibly excited to see how seriously that’s taken and how much thought is given to the best ways in which the company can support the farmers.”

Cash, who joined Askinosie Chocolate as its first COO in December 2013, said she was seeking more flexible hours so she could spend additional time with her children. She’s taken a position as national account manager for beverage and dessert developer KanPak, a division of Golden State Foods.

“This job as COO of Askinosie Chocolate requires you to be here all day, every day, like you need to be,” she said. “We’re all really happy with how things have turned out.”

Drury spokesman Mike Brothers said the school would conduct a search in the future based on discussions with the Edward Jones Center advisory board, faculty, administration and other stakeholders, including members of the Springfield business community.

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