“Peter stood out to the committee because of the measurable impact he has already made across our industry,” said Nicole Barreiro, group marketing manager for Middleby Bakery and chair of the Rising Baking Selection committee. “His work in automation and process improvement has delivered meaningful results, but what truly sets him apart is his commitment to advancing the baking community through leadership, mentorship, and service. He embodies the spirit and future of the Rising Baker Award.”

After graduating with an industrial engineering degree from Kansas State University in 2014, Rasmussen joined Bimbo Bakeries USA, working his way to engineering supervisor. He joined Festo US in 2017 and helped the company establish roots in the US. Recently, he earned an MBA from Hochschule Esslingen University of Applied Sciences in Germany as a member of an employer-sponsored program that chooses one person from the US to attend.

“What is exciting is not just being recognized for the work already done, but also looking at what’s next,” Rasmussen said. “The industry keeps evolving. ASB keeps evolving. It doesn’t just help grow us professionally. It grows us personally. It challenges us. It connects us. It turns co-workers into friends and friends into family. I’m extremely proud to be a part of the future. I’m very grateful, very humbled to have this award.”