Industry Stories

BEMA's CEO, Kerwin Brown, sat down with Rick Hoskins, BEMA's 2020-2021 Chairman of the Board, to talk about his experiences as a leader and learner as well as the benefits of developing relationships throughout the baking industry.

BEMA's President and CEO, Kerwin Brown, discusses what BEMA's future entails and what that means for its members.

Meet BEMA's new team member: Rene Boudreaux. Rene will work as a Project Manager for BEMA. Learn more about Rene and what his role will include while working for BEMA.

A poem inspired by the thoughts and sentiments of our members and industry friends.

On November 11, the United States honors the approximately 18 million men and women who have bravely served our country. Following their service, many of the more than 200,000 service members who transition out of the military each year find themselves looking to reconnect in a civilian world.

We are amid a time of comparison and contrast, historical significance versus modern-day relevance, work-life balance versus stay-at-home orders, the comfort of an old-fashioned handshake versus the convenience of a video conference call.  While we navigate this period of transition, few of us have the luxury of a compass for guidance, particularly as we navigate something generally deemed “unprecedented.”

The last couple of months have tested us as individuals and as an industry on many levels. Amid the stress and strain, we’ve had an unanticipated benefit of seeing leadership manifest and bloom in unexpected areas.

For some people in the business world, “virtual” signals a temporary compromise made necessary by the COVID-19 crisis. They feel virtual communications and operations need to last only until companies and society can return to “normal,” in-person activities. Kerwin Brown doesn’t see it that way. The President and CEO of BEMA

VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). These times throw a harsh spotlight on what can and ultimately does get done when ambiguity no longer warrants a spot at the table. Baking manufacturers are on the front-line of this evolution as they manage innumerable real-time elements of VUCA.

Kerwin Brown, CEO of BEMA, explains how BEMA is the "glue" in the industry. "In a time of extreme challenges, we feel incredibly lucky to have a front-row seat as the industry comes together to create and strengthen important connections."