BEMA announces 2025-26 BIF roster

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BEMA announces 2025-26 BIF roster

14 Mar 2025

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.

OVERLAND PARK, KS — BEMA, the association representing leading bakery and food suppliers, has announced the 2025-2026 members of its Baking Industry Forum (BIF), a small group of bakers and suppliers discussing the top issues facing the commercial baking industry. Through those discussions, BIF provides the industry with a strong resource for ideas and expertise based on research and years of experience.

The group is known throughout the BEMA community as a well-respected source for information and resource sharing.

“BEMA formed BIF to serve as a unique, safe space for bakers and suppliers to collaborate together,” said Kerwin Brown, CEO of BEMA. “Through open and honest engagement, they create a rich exchange that often leads to real solutions for the industry.”

In the past, BIF members have contributed insights regarding real-time solutions for subjects such as training and professional development, veteran hiring, preparation for the Food Safety Modernization Act and solutions for evolving safety issues. Most recently, BIF demonstrated the capabilities and opportunities that RealWear technology offers the baking industry. Members of the forum will participate in BEMA’s June Convention and meet throughout the year.

“With BIF, we’re able to build relationships by understanding one another,” said Mike Porter, president and COO of New Horizons Baking Co. and BIF member, during the 2024 BEMA Annual Convention. “The beauty of BIF is that we can be open and discuss our challenges. No one is there for themselves; we’re all there to advance the industry.”

BIF members will serve through BEMA’s 2026 Convention. Following the completion of this term, members are eligible to continue their service on the forum.

The 2025-26 BIF roster, made up of bakers and BEMA members, includes the following:

Suppliers

Brandon Brilliant | general manager, AMF Bakery Systems

Jon Miller | director of business development, A M King

Matt Zielsdorf | global category manager – specialty bread and pastry, Middleby Bakery

Mitch Lindsey | senior sales account manager, Burford Corp.

Nick Magistrelli | VP of sales, Rademaker USA

Ron Cardey | VP of business development, St. John’s Packaging

Trent Wanamaker | sales VP, Cain Foods

Bakers

Chad Larson | VP and COO, Mel-O-Cream Donuts International

John Mulloy | director of operations, 151 Foods

Justus Larson | VP of operations, US Bakeries

Karl Thorson | global food safety and sanitation manager, General Mills

Mike Porter | president and COO, New Horizons Baking Co.

Richard Ybarra | senior manager of manufacturing engineering, Publix Super Markets

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