CEO , MORINAGA AMERICA
WHY: Heads U.S. corporate division of Japan-based candy maker, known as inventor of HiChews from 1950s. Based in Irvine and became company’s chief U.S. representative in February.
IN THE NEWS: Kawabe oversaw U.S. sales grow to more than $100M in 2021. Plans to more than double domestic sales to $250M by 2030 through efforts to expand national distribution and new product offerings.
NOTABLE: Began as a sales representative at Morinaga in 1991 then helped company establish operations in new international markets such as New Z
