Bakers from Bimbo Bakeries USA, East Balt, Flowers Foods, Kroger, Lewis Bakeries, Fresh Start, Pepperidge Farm and more will be speaking at BEMA’s annual meeting, which runs June 23-28 in Santa Barbara, CA. The conclave also will attract members from the snack industry and representatives from as far away as Turkey, as part of the association’s effort to strengthen the program of this summer event.

Senior representatives from a diverse group of food producers also will address BEMA members about their companies and trends they see in the industry.


Meanwhile, the 2011 baker panel includes Dan Bailey, vice-president North American operations and managing director, Asia Pacific, Fresh Start Bakeries; Rick Teeny, owner of Teeny Foods; Barry Levin, CEO of Snak King, and Hakan Esen, managing partner at Doruk Group Holding in Istanbul, Turkey.

Additionally, the Baking Industry Forum (BIF), a group of five bakers and five suppliers who work together to address industry issues, will present information on a new way of communicating about maintenance needs. The BIF members scheduled to attend the meeting include Rowdy Brixey, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Jeff Dearduff, East Balt; Dave Hipenbecker, Kroger; Jack Lewis, III, Lewis Bakeries; and Jeff Teasdale, Pepperidge Farm, Inc.

Mr. Dearduff, who is current chairman of the American Society of Baking (ASB), also will provide an update on ASB. Allen Shiver, president of Flowers Foods, will provide an update as the chairman of the American Bakers Association (ABA). Other association leaders including Robb MacKie, president and CEO of ABA; Judi Adams, president of Grain Foods Foundation and Wheat Foods Council; and Jim Munyon, president of AIB International, will provide updates on their respective associations.

Beth Thomas, author ofPowered by Happy, will speak to BEMA members and their families. She is currently executive vice-president/managing director of consulting services at Sequent, where she is responsible for the overall success of the consulting practice. She has spent more than 25 years in leadership at top companies such as JP Morgan Chase and Limited Brands.

For more information, go towww.bema.org.