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In this interview with Kerwin Brown, Jeff Shura of Flowers Foods shares his path to the baking industry, his leadership approach, and tips for those who are just getting started in the industry.

Building on a series of successful BEMA events -- Convention, NEXUS and IBIE to highlight a few -- where members were celebrated and the focus was on connections, BEMA’s Board of Directors is spending late October proactively planning for the next era of member resources, industry collaborations, and the advancement of impactful educational partnerships.  

In this episode of On a Roll, Kerwin Brown interviews Marissa Sertich Velie, Executive Director of The Retail Bakers of America. In the conversation, they chat about her journey from childhood baker to baker to industry leader.

From the Caribbean to Japan, the baking industry is more connected than ever. BEMA is embracing this global reality by breaking language barriers, fostering international relationships, and ensuring bakers everywhere can share knowledge, innovation, and opportunity.

The Value Of Volunteering In the Baking Industry

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the baking industry by streamlining production, enhancing efficiency, and reshaping workforce skills, as experts revealed during the “From Tasks to Transformation: AI Across the Product Spectrum” panel.

Efficiency and productivity improvements through standardized methods and real-time information are at the core of AI’s value in manufacturing.

At BEMA Convention's ever-popular Ask-A-Baker panel, five influential baking leaders - three of them first-time attendees - shared candid insights on topics ranging from equipment design and workforce challenges to adapting family business values in a modern industry.

As global trade policies shift rapidly under new leadership, manufacturers face mounting uncertainty. At BEMA Convention 2025, Shawn Marie Jarosz, Chief Trade Strategist at TradeMoves, led an in-depth session examining the current trade environment and what U.S. baking manufacturers should expect next.

At BEMA Convention 2025, Carolyn Lee of the Manufacturing Institute addressed the urgent labor shortage in manufacturing, highlighting the need to upskill current employees, engage future talent, and invest in second-chance hiring. From mentorship to workforce development, her message was clear: building a resilient talent pipeline starts from within and extends into the community.