ASB recognizes key leadership at BakingTECH 2025

BACK TO ALL NEWS

ASB recognizes key leadership at BakingTECH 2025

17 Feb 2025

Maddie Lambert

Maddie Lambert is a copywriter and editor from Joplin, MO. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English – literary studies. When she’s not poring over the magazine or lost in the pages of a new novel, you can find Maddie exploring her local bookstores, spending time with her husband, or sharing her latest literary discoveries with fellow book enthusiasts.

ORLANDO, FL — The American Society of Baking (ASB) kicked off BakingTECH 2025, held Feb. 15-19 in Orlando, FL, by honoring its 50-year members and their dedication to the industry.

During the Opening General Session, Kristen Spriggs, ASB’s executive director, recognized John Del Campo for his leadership and devotion to the baking industry. Del Campo, now-retired bakery division manager at Repco and co-treasurer of the Bakers National Educational Foundation, served as ASB’s board chair in 1988 and currently serves on ASB’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Education Committee and the Advisory Council.

During his acceptance speech, Del Campo acknowledged Kansas State University (K-State) students and urged them to consider joining ASB as early as possible.

“It’s been 50 years that I’ve been a member of the society, and the one regret I have is not joining right away,” he said. “To K-State and other university students that are here, please consider joining the society and industry as soon as you can. There’s plenty of support here for mentorship and your future, so I encourage you to start participating.”

Xochitl Cruz, 2024-25 ASB board chair and VP of global operations at Grupo Bimbo, presented the 25th annual Robert A. Fisher Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes individuals for their long-standing contributions to the growth and development of ASB.

To be recognized, ASB considers several factors, including the development of new programs and concepts that deliver impactful results, and the person’s partnership and dedication that go above and beyond the level of typical ASB participation.

ASB posthumously recognized Nathan Norris, who served as director of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for Highland Baking Co., as the award recipient.

“Norris had the uncommon ability to balance the hard skills that came from more than 35 years of working in bakery production and the soft skills that guided his passion for DEI,” Cruz said. “These were not buzzwords for this individual. He truly lived by them every day and lived by the belief that everybody deserved to be treated with respect regardless of reciprocation.”

Cruz also recognized Norris for his people-first mentality, core principles and service to the industry.

“His legacy will live on through the kindness and inclusivity he imparted to all who knew him,” Cruz concluded.

Advertisement

BACK TO ALL NEWS