Northwest Arkansas Business Journal 2009 Fast 15: Allen Dark

Allen Dark, 22
Category Development Manager
The Hershey Co., Bentonville

Claim to Fame: In July 2008, Dark took over management of all non-candy Hershey products sold in Wal-Mart’s grocery division.

Next Step: “I’m not in any hurry to go anywhere. There are a lot of great opportunities within my company to advance.”

Allen Dark has always had a sweet tooth, so perhaps it was only natural he ended up working for the world’s most famous chocolate company.

At just 22, less than a year removed from a finance degree at the University of Arkansas, Dark oversees all the non-candy Hershey Co. products such as baking cocoas, chocolate chips and syrups sold in Wal-Mart’s grocery division.

Barely six years ago, Dark was working his first job at an ice cream shop in Shreveport, La., and he started a video production company with a classmate while both were seniors in high school.

At age 18, Dark and his partner were the youngest business owners in Louisiana, and he used the proceeds from the sale of his half of the company to furnish his apartment when he came to Fayetteville for college.

Working long hours in high school prepared him for college life, both in and out of the classroom. While an intern with Hershey, he worked 40 hours per week while taking 12 hours of classes. Not only was he well-accustomed to working past 2 a.m. and getting up to go to school, business strategies came easier.

“When a professor would talk about a concept, I’d already applied it,” Dark said. “I felt like I was a step ahead.”

Dark’s young age could make for generational resentment, but he said he manages the age gap by remembering to know what he doesn’t know.

“I always pause and listen first,” he said. “Nine times out of 10, what they say will be based on a past experience that I wouldn’t know about. Once I soak that in, I can speak up and make a point.

“If I don’t listen, I won’t get the insights or good career advice.”

Dark also has a traditional attitude about the work day as well, wishing it would begin a little sooner.

“Allen differentiates himself from his peers in that his skill sets are very balanced,” said Hershey director of category management Michael Weldon. “His presentation, analytical, technical and communication skills are all very strong. His curious nature has, and will, continue to serve him well.”

(RELATED: Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 15 Young Pros on the Fast Track)