TERRY KAWABE
CEO/PRESIDENT
MORINAGA AMERICA
WHY: Heads U.S. corporate division of Japan-based candy maker, known as inventor of Hi-Chews from 1950s. Based in Irvine and became company’s chief U.S. representative in 2023 after being named U.S. CEO in 2022.
IN THE NEWS: Launched new e-commerce platform for consumers to purchase candy online in January along with first rewards program. In October, broke ground on second North American manufacturing facility in North Carolina, an investment worth over $130M, which aims to be operational by January 2027.
NOTABLE: Began as a sales representative at Morinaga in 1991 then helped establish operations in new international markets such as New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Oversaw U.S. sales grow to more than $100M in 2021 and plans to more than double domestic sales to $250M by 2030.
