Ted Kossouji of the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory in Lebanon was elected recently to the Board of Directors of Retail Confectioners International (RCI).

A non-profit trade association of 441 members, RCI has served the chocolate and confectionery industry since 1917. RCI provides confectioners who have a passion for excellent chocolate a forum for further developing their candy making and entrepreneurial skills.

Ted and Joy Kossouji, who are Ohio natives, began making chocolates when they lived in Grand Junction, Colo. In 1988, they returned to Ohio where they opened the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory in downtown Lebanon.

The Kossoujis, who create most of the candies they sell, offer over 140 different chocolates. Their customers include famous names from Hollywood and New York. Golden Turtle chocolates have traveled to England, Israel, Iraq, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, China, South Korea, and Taiwan.