ABA builds government relations team, enhances advocacy efforts

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ABA builds government relations team, enhances advocacy efforts

10 Oct 2024

Joanie Spencer

Since 2008, Joanie Spencer has covered the retail and wholesale sides of the baking industry.
Serving associations such as the American Society of Baking (ASB) and BEMA, Joanie is also in demand as an industry presenter on bakery operations and trends. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Rockhurst University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

When she’s not running or playing soccer, Joanie spends her time with her husband and 11-year-old son.

WASHINGTON, DC — Staying informed regarding policy issues is crucial for commercial bakers as they navigate their businesses in relation to state and federal issues.

The American Bakers Association (ABA) has spent the past year building its government relations team to include robust expertise that supports the biggest issues facing the baking industry on federal and state levels.

During NEXUS, powered by BEMA and ABA, which was held Oct. 1-3 in Washington, DC, ABA took attendees through many of those issues and shared the team’s efforts to address them.

ABA’s government relations experts, led by Rasma Zvaners, VP of government relations, include Campbell Genn, senior director of government relations; Thomas Bailey, director of government relations; and Bill Dumais, manager of state affairs.

“This new team supports ABA’s strategic plan on several levels,” Zvaners said. “I look at the advocacy we do every day as the basis of what’s expected of us for being responsive in the regulatory and legislative space. Framing that within the strategic plan with specific goals around workforce and category growth enables us to proactively stay in front of issues and keep the industry engaged.”