Don Papson, The M.S. Hershey Foundation

Don currently serves as the executive director of The M. S. Hershey Foundation, a position he has held since 2009. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that was created by Milton Hershey in 1935 for educational and cultural enrichment in Derry Township, PA. Don also served as interim director of The Hershey Story from 2008-2009. His current responsibilities include oversight of Hershey Gardens, The

Hershey Story, Hershey Theatre and Hershey Community Archives.

Don was president of Bentz-Papson Associates, a marketing and attraction development consultancy from 2006-2009. Bentz-Papson’s client list included the National Confectionery Association, Turkey Hill Dairy, Tasty Baking Company, Peet’s Coffee, The Hershey Company, The Neiman Group, The M. S. Hershey Foundation and McCormick Spice.

Don retired as the vice president of consumer interactive and The Hershey Experience in 2006. His responsibilities included: Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey’s Times Square, Hershey’s Chicago and Hershey Direct Business Unit. The Hershey Direct business included the National Retail Licensing Business, Hershey Gifts Catalog, the hersheygifts.com e-commerce website and Hershey’s Collectibles.
Don was hired by The Hershey Company in 1979, and eventually held the position of general manager of Hershey’s Chocolate World and related businesses from 1995 – 2003. Papson oversaw the repositioning of Hershey’s Chocolate World from a tour-oriented facility to a multi-faceted consumer experience in support of The Hershey Company and the Hershey brands.  

He also previously served as president of the Harrisburg/Hershey/Carlisle Tourism and Convention Bureau and was on the board of Pennsylvania Dutch Visitors Bureau. In the past, he has served on the  Board of Directors for the Museum of Scientific Discovery and has been a business advisor for Harrisburg Area Community College and an adjunct professor at Lebanon Valley College.

Papson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Gettysburg College and a master’s degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. Don is a volunteer coach for Palmyra High School where he coaches swimming, track and cross country. Papson resides in Palmyra with his wife, Judy.