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Cool Beans

By Airman 1st Class Lindsey A. Beadle, 11th Wing Public Affairs / Published August 04, 2011

Master Sgt. Michelle Tancrede, NCO in charge of mission operations, 779th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, shows Robert M. Simpson Jr., Jelly Belly Candy Company President and Chief Operating Officer, and Herman G. Rowland Sr., Jelly Belly Candy Company Chairman of the Board, the Heritage Wall during their tour of the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility here July 13. Simpson and Rowland participated in the Andrews Leadership Series, an initiative spearheaded by Col. Kenneth Rizer, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. The series showcases high-profile military and civic members who are leaders in their respective field. The program also aims to educate servicemembers about the characteristics of being a leader and provides JBA members with the tools they need to become better leaders themselves. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura Turner)
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Master Sgt. Michelle Tancrede, NCO in charge of mission operations, 779th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, shows Robert M. Simpson Jr., Jelly Belly Candy Company President and Chief Operating Officer, and Herman G. Rowland Sr., Jelly Belly Candy Company Chairman of the Board, the Heritage Wall during their tour of the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility here July 13. Simpson and Rowland participated in the Andrews Leadership Series, an initiative spearheaded by Col. Kenneth Rizer, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. The series showcases high-profile military and civic members who are leaders in their respective field. The program also aims to educate servicemembers about the characteristics of being a leader and provides JBA members with the tools they need to become better leaders themselves. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura Turner)

Robert M. Simpson, Jr. Jelly Belly Candy Company President and Chief Operating Officer, adds a coin to the collection at the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility after receiving a tour here July 13. Simpson and Herman G. Rowland Sr., Jelly Belly Candy Company Chairman of the Board, participated in the Andrews Leadership Series, an initiative spearheaded by Col. Kenneth Rizer, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. The series showcases high profile military and civic members who are leaders in their respective field. The program also aims to educate servicemembers about the characteristics of being a leader and provides JBA members with the tools they need to become better leaders themselves. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura Turner)
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Robert M. Simpson, Jr. Jelly Belly Candy Company President and Chief Operating Officer, adds a coin to the collection at the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility after receiving a tour here July 13. Simpson and Herman G. Rowland Sr., Jelly Belly Candy Company Chairman of the Board, participated in the Andrews Leadership Series, an initiative spearheaded by Col. Kenneth Rizer, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. The series showcases high profile military and civic members who are leaders in their respective field. The program also aims to educate servicemembers about the characteristics of being a leader and provides JBA members with the tools they need to become better leaders themselves. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura Turner)

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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Joint Base Andrews members satisfied their sweet tooth Wednesday when Mr. Herman G. Rowland Sr., Jelly Bean Candy Company Chairman of the Board, along with Mr. Robert M. Simpson Jr., Jelly Belly Candy Company, President and Chief Operating Officer, spoke here for the sixth installment of the Andrews Leadership Series.

The Jelly Belly Candy Company distinguished visitors treated all who attended the leadership series forum to individual Jelly Belly goodie bags filled with Jelly Belly candies, tins, pens and newly minted collectors coins - just to name a few sweets - and delighted the audience with their jovial and wonka-like demeanor throughout their presentation.

"We're passionate about what we do, and in all things, we try to bring that passion to the table," said Simpson.

This fervor was even more apparent when Rowland and Simpson spoke about their company's upcoming project initiative, the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum, which is slated to open at full capacity at the Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center on Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, Ca., in the coming years.

"We're always looking for ways to give back to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have given everything," said Rowland. "With this museum, we hope to touch everyone who visits it or knows the story of Jimmy Doolittle and remind them that freedom isn't free."

Besides spoiling dinner, this particular installment of the Andrews Leadership Series helped reaffirm the longstanding community partnership between the Jelly Belly Candy Co. and Joint Base Andrews. Before the series' speaking forum, Rowland and Simpson were treated to a tour of the Aeromedical Staging Facility here and were given the honorable opportunity to view of one of the main missions that directly impacts JBA and Jelly Belly Candy Company, respectively.

Currently sprinkled throughout the ASF, Jelly Belly candies are one of the niceties that welcome Wounded Warriors home after deployment. With the president and COO of Jelly Belly walking the halls of the ASF Wednesday, a heartfelt connection was felt by all the Wounded Warriors Rowland and Simpson interacted with during their tour, as well as during their forum.

A simple and perfectly poignant "Thank you Soldier," was said to all servicemembers Rowland and Simpson saw at the ASF. "We're free because of you."