Industry

Built on strength. Focused on the future. Driven by member value. BEMA’s Strategic Plan is more than a roadmap—it’s a commitment to our members. BEMA is building on what makes this community strong while evolving how we deliver value across every touchpoint.

Kerwin Brown interviews Rick Oleshak, Vice President of Marketing at AB Mauri North America, as he shares his path to the baking industry from other industries such as NASCAR racing and beverage marketing.

Kerwin Brown interviews Jill Stang, Vice President of Sales at Lesaffre, as she shares her path through the baking industry, her experience with product development, and her involvement in various organizations in the baking industry.

You may have noticed that BEMA’s website has a new look — and we’re proud of it. But this update wasn’t just about improving what you see. It was about rebuilding what you don’t. 

As we evaluated our systems, we realized something important: even when the front end works well enough, the backend processes can quietly limit your effectiveness. That realization led us to step back, assess how we were collecting and using data, and ultimately redesign our internal systems to better serve our members. 

The experience reinforced a lesson that applies far beyond BEMA. 

Kerwin Brown interviews Eugenio Alvarez, VP Global Engineering and Maintenance at Grupo Bimbo, as he shares his path to the baking industry, his perspective on leadership, and his experience leading teams in engineering maintenance, and new technologies.

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.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just analyzing data - it’s beginning to take action. As agentic AI emerges, the baking industry stands on the brink of a transformation where autonomous systems can predict demand, optimize logistics, and streamline operations in ways once unimaginable.

In this interview with Kerwin Brown, Mike Cornelis of Bundy Baking Solutions reflects on his journey through the baking industry, from his beginnings in Illinois with a communications degree to an unexpected career in pan manufacturing and international sales.

IBIE may happen every three years, but BEMA brings the industry together all year long. Renewing your membership ensures you stay connected to the people, ideas, and opportunities that move your business forward.

In this episode of On a Roll, Kerwin Brown sits down with Jorge Zarate, Senior Executive with Grupo Bimbo, for a fascinating conversation about his nearly four decades in the baking industry.