Governance, Leadership & Staff
Our Mission
The National Candle Association (NCA), founded in 1974, is the major trade association representing U.S. candle manufacturers and their suppliers.
The mission of the National Candle Association is to serve and represent its candle manufacturing members of the United States of America and their suppliers, and to promote safe products and a healthy environment for the industry.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, NCA has more than 100 candle manufacturers and suppliers as members, and is widely recognized as the leading technical authority on candle manufacturing, science, and safety.
Governance & Leadership
2021-2022 Officers & Board of Directors
OFFICERS
President
Chris Rakyta
Luminex Home Decor & Fragrance Company
VP / President Elect
Brad Root
Root Candles
Vice President
Steve Horenziak
The Procter & Gamble Co.
Treasurer
John Ragsdale
General Wax & Candle Co.
Immediate past president
Kathy LaVanier
Renegade Candles
Directors
Bruce Campbell
Wicks Unlimited
Kevin Youngberg
Twin City Beekeeping Supply, Inc.
Rush Mauney
GlobalTech Industries, Inc.
Christine Casper
SC Johnson & Son, Inc.
Louis Steigerwald III
Cathedral Candle Co.
Chris Jones
Givaudan Fragrances Corp.
John Cagle
The Yankee Candle Co.
Brad Colclasure
Alene Candles Inc.
Tim Muprhy
Cargill
ASTM Liaison
Robert Moss
S-E-A Limited
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Associates
Committee
Bruce Campbell
Wicks Unlimited
Communications Committee
Charlotte Katona
The Wooden Wick Co.
Membership
Committee
Chris Jones
Givaudan Fragrances Corp.
Conference
Committee
Eileen Hedrick
Symrise
Rob Harrington
Arylessence, Inc.
Expo
Committee
TBD
Issues Mgmt.
Committee
Rob Harrington
Arylessence, Inc.
Technical Response
Committee
Nominating
Committee
Louis Steigerwald III
Cathedral Candle Co.
Trade
Committee
Colton Lazar
General Wax & Candle Company
Rob Harrington
Arylessence, Inc.
NCA Staff
Executive Director
Robert Pignato
PH: 202-591-2492 [email protected]
General Manager
Kristi Johnson
PH: 678-303-3009 [email protected]
Senior Director, Public Affairs
Michael Taylor
PH: 202-207-1113 [email protected]
Communications
Heather Currier
PH: 847-686-2381 [email protected]
Alexandra Ozerkis
PH: 212-297-2134 [email protected]
Manager, Meetings & Expositions
Sean Hewitt
PH: 404-252-3663 [email protected]
Coordinator, Membership Services
Michelle Hall
PH: 678-303-2964 [email protected]