The Influential 20: presented in no particular order
Robert Benton Flowers Foods Rich Hoskins Colborne Corp. Linda Hoskins American Pie Council Ron Savelli Caravan Ingredients Robb MacKie American Bakers Association Kerwin Brown BEMA Russ Bundy Bundy Baking Solutions Betsy Faga North American Millers Association John Popp Aunt Millie's Bakeries Jim Nolan Sara Lee Fresh Bakery	Ron Jones Dawn Foods Lee Sanders American Bakers Association Howard (Robin) Alton III Pan-O-Gold Baking Co. Margaret Hamburg FDA Commissioner Judi Adams Grain Foods Foundation Kenneth Klosterman Klosterman Baking Co. Renato (Ron) Turano Turano Baking Co. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) George Dunbar Dunbar Systems Jim Munyon AIB International Charlie Foran C.H. Babb Co.

This month, Baking Management debuts its first annual Influential 20, which includes 19 individuals and one power duo, whose leadership and efforts help strengthen the baking industry. These individuals have various affiliations, from bakeries to allieds to associations or government. And many are not only members, but strong contributors to baking industry associations, many of which require significant time commitments above and beyond their primary job function.

The diverse group of people being recognized in the Influential 20 demonstrates that no one criteria prevailed in the selection. Some individuals continually serve as ambassadors in the baking industry by encouraging collaborative efforts toward policy change, while others develop products that help the industry deliver higher quality and more efficient baked products. Others possess authority and influence that affects positive change, while some help stimulate consumer excitement in a particular aspect of the baking industry, thereby opening up potential new market opportunities.

Every one of the individuals chosen for this honor has shown a propensity for leadership by acting as a force for change in the wholesale baking industry. As such, many have commented on what obstacles they face in their prospective industry roles, and how they might overcome them. Each person also has achieved numerous accomplishments, many of which are discussed in his or her profile.

Congratulations to those acknowledged in this special feature on their well-deserved recognition.

Presented in no particular order, meet Baking Management's Influential 20…

Robert Benton

Vice President of Manufacturing • Flowers Foods

Robert Benton, vice president of manufacturing, Flowers Foods, Thomasville, Ga., immediate-past chairman; executive committee member, American Society of Baking (ASB), and a graduate of the American Institute of Baking, was chairman during ASB's 2008-2009 management turnover where he was charged with resetting the course for the association, notes Jeff Dearduff, director of U.S. Bakeries, East Balt Inc., Chicago.

“Benton is a leader in the true sense of the word,” Dearduff says. “He has the authority to make things happen, and when he speaks, people listen.”

During his 29-year career at Flowers Foods, Benton feels extremely lucky to have had a number of people encourage and help him along the way. He is now honored to be in a position to guide others so they can assume future leadership roles, not only at Flowers, but within the industry as well.

“While there's a great deal of satisfaction in building and maintaining some of the industry's most technologically advanced bakeries, I have to say I'm most fortunate in being able to mentor and encourage the next generation of bakers, and [build] the life-long professional relationships I've developed over the years,” Benton says. “We're privileged to be part of an industry where individuals and companies can work together for the common good.”

Rich Hoskins Linda Hoskins

President • Colborne Corp.

Executive Director • American Pie Council

Rich Hoskins, president, Colborne Corp., Lake Forest, Ill.; committee chair, IBIE 2010 and Linda Hoskins, executive director, American Pie Council (APC) are likely the hardest working couple in the baking industry.

As executive director of APC, Linda has an extensive role in bringing all aspects of the pie industry together for the Great American Pie Festival, the Pie Industry Seminar and the APC Crisco^® National Pie Championships. Yet she credits the dedication of a strong board of directors made up of top managers representing most of the pie producers in North America with these events' success.

Although Rich has faced many challenges in running an automation company in the baking industry for the past 15 years, it has grown into the largest commercial robot integrator in the industry. But running a company is merely one part of Rich's responsibilities. He helped lead BEMA through some very challenging times as it restructured and hired new management, improved finances, and implemented a strategic plan to make the association a strong contributor. He now leads the IBIE committee that is preparing for its upcoming tradeshow in 2010.

“I'm so proud to be a small part of this impressive group that loyally work so hard at making sure we all have a better environment to work in,” Rich says.