12 Jan BEMA Board Spotlight: Patrice Painchaud
Patrice Painchaud, Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Company: Rexfab Inc.
Q: What got you into the baking industry?
A: Circa 1996, fresh out of engineering school I found myself managing projects in the baking industry. Always erring on the side of equipment suppliers I have never left the industry and can honestly say it’s been a fun ride! Some say it’s my last name which got me in this industry. Destiny?
Q: Why do you love the business of baking?
A: The long lasting connections I have made: authentic relationships nurtured while crisscrossing the world during the past 25 years. I have always admired bakers generous sense of sharing and their willingness to enter in mutually-beneficial dialogs. Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a family. I call it the baking industry.
Q: Who do you consider a mentor in the industry? Who has made an impact on your career?
A: There are numerous individuals have influenced me as a manager and as a person. On the baker side John Garofalo, Weston Foods, and Dave Watson Pepperidge Farm, played a key role in my early days. Mike Cornelis, Francois Henault, Eric Riggle, the Hoskins and the Zielsdorf families all had a positive impact on my career and I am forever thankful.
Q: What goals do you have for your board membership tenure?
A: I am adamant about expanding BEMA’s educational & networking offerings, working diligently with our partners throughout the industry. I am also honored to lead our association’s growth through the lens of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion.
Q: What trend are you most excited about in the baking industry right now?
A: Seeing IBIE grow every cycle. I have always been a big fan of our tradeshow. I’m also super excited about the education and networking opportunities brought forward by ABA and BEMA such as IBIEducate.
Q: What was your favorite baked good as a kid, and now?
A: As a kid, none else than the infamous Jos Louis snack cake made by the Vachon family in Sainte- Marie de Beauce, Quebec! Today Vachon is proudly-owned by Grupo Bimbo and pumps millions of quality snack cakes every year.
Now, it’s the aroma and the golden crust of the Montreal-style sesame bagels from Chef Frankie, an ideal way to start my day!
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