LENEXA, KAS. — Theresa Cogswell has been hired as innovation program director, bakery at Corbion. She will lead the research development and applications (R.D.A.) bakery team and be located at Corbion’s North American headquarters in Lenexa. She also will support the Corbion sales team.
Ms. Cogswell has more than 35 years of industry experience. She began her professional career in baking as a research baker with the Olathe, Kas.-based Paniplus Division of Continental Baking Co., now ADM Arkady. At Paniplus, she expanded her knowledge of baking fundamentals and learned about the characteristics and uses of ingredients and how to solve problems with bakers and technical support personnel.
Ms. Cogswell remained with Paniplus until after its acquisition in 1986 by Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, Ill. She then took a position with T.J. Cinnamons, Kansas City, which operates a nationwide chain of franchised retail outlets offering fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. After her stint with T.J. Cinnamons, which was ended by a round of down-sizing, Ms. Cogswell went into baking ingredient sales. After about a year, she joined Real Food Marketing, Kansas City, a product development group, where she was director of sales and marketing.
Then in 1992, Ms. Cogswell joined Interstate Bakeries as manager, research and development. In 1994, she advanced to director of research and development. And in 1995, after Interstate's acquisition of Continental Baking Co., St. Louis, Ms. Cogswell was named vice-president, research and development. She left Interstate Brands Corp. in 2007 to start her own consulting business, BakerCogs, Inc.
She has been an active member of the American Bakers Association’s Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee, and in 2006 was elected chairman of the A.S.B., marking the first time a women has led the organization in its 82-year history. She also has served as president of the Society of Bakery Women, a network where members may share personal and professional stories from their experiences in baking.
Ms. Cogswell graduated from the Milling Science and Management program at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kas.
“We are excited about Theresa’s entrepreneurial take on innovation and her enthusiastic approach to collaboration between R.D.A., sales, marketing and customers,” said Anieke Wierenga, senior director, innovation, food. “Her addition to our global team further strengthens our food R.D.A. community with industry colleagues, customers and academia.”
