After ten years of service, Virgil Smail, president of American Institute of Baking, Manhattan, Kan., is resigning to pursue a new career as head of Kansas State University’s Department of Grain Science and Industry. AIB will name an interim president during the search for a permanent replacement.

“I’m very sorry to be leaving,” Smail said. “I’ve grown very fond of AIB and the people on its staff, but I decided that the challenge of leading the Grain Science Department at Kansas State was an opportunity and a challenge I couldn’t afford to pass up because I have a very strong background in the grain industry.”

Through his ten-year tenure at AIB, Smail has guided the institute’s growth from $8.8 million in operating revenue to $19.2 million in operating revenue in 2003. Among his notable achievements with the organization are the expansion of AIB’s auditing services and the development of the Bakers Quality Seal and Gold Standard. “AIB and all its programs are running very smoothly and I feel that this is a very appropriate time for a change in leadership,” Smail said. “I fully believe that with the strong staff and remaining leadership that AIB has the potential to reach $40 million in revenue in the next five to ten years.”