The American Bakers Association (ABA) Expands Leadership Team to Support Strategic Growth and Industry Advocacy

The American Bakers Association (ABA) welcomes two new senior leaders and celebrates two internal promotions, further positioning the organization to deliver results under its Strategic Plan to ensure an impactful and high-level experience for its membership.

“These leadership appointments reflect ABA’s commitment to building a team with the expertise and dedication necessary to advance the priorities of the commercial baking industry,” said Eric Dell, ABA President and CEO. “By investing in both exceptional new talent and the continued growth of our existing team, we are strengthening ABA’s ability to deliver meaningful value for our members and the industry we serve.”

Chris Zimmerman joins ABA as Vice President of Finance and Operations, bringing a strong background in financial leadership and organizational growth. Zimmerman previously served in senior finance roles including CFO, where he helped scale organizations by bringing a for-profit mindset to nonprofit operations. In his new role, he will lead ABA’s budgeting, financial forecasting, and key finance initiatives, including oversight of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) financial planning. Zimmerman’s expertise in financial strategy and operational efficiency will support ABA’s long-term growth and help ensure the organization is well-positioned to achieve both its short- and long-term strategic goals.

Jennifer “JB” Bulcao joins ABA as Chief of Staff, bringing extensive experience in executive leadership support, governance, and organizational strategy. Most recently, Bulcao served as Executive Director and Board & Governance Liaison at the NAMA Foundation, where she led initiatives to empower the convenience services industry through research and advocacy. Her previous experience includes serving as Executive Assistant to the President & CEO at organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute and American Waterways Operators, managing executive office operations and board communications. Bulcao’s expertise will help strengthen ABA’s executive operations, enhance board engagement, and drive alignment across teams to ensure the association continues to advance its strategic priorities and deliver enhanced value to its members.

In addition to welcoming new leaders, ABA is recognizing the contributions of two team members with well-earned promotions.

Samantha Moore has been promoted to Vice President of Events and Programming. In this role, Moore will continue to lead the strategic design and execution of ABA’s industryleading events and programs, strengthening engagement across the commercial baking community and ensuring members benefit from high-impact networking, education, and collaboration opportunities.

Thomas Bailey has been promoted to Senior Director of Government Relations. Bailey plays a critical role in advancing ABA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of commercial baking manufacturers, working closely with policymakers and industry stakeholders to promote policies that support a strong and competitive baking sector.

Together, these leadership additions and promotions reinforce ABA’s commitment to delivering strong advocacy, innovative programming, and valuable resources that support the continued success of the commercial baking industry.

About the American Bakers Association 

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the largest, most established, and diverse trade association for the commercial baking industry in the United States. ABA’s community includes more than 350 member companies representing over 1,200 commercial baking facilities and the extensive industry supply chain. 

Since 1897, ABA has served as the voice of the baking industry, offering compelling advocacy, insightful thought leadership, and comprehensive research on industry trends. ABA members also benefit from extensive business services including premier networking events, impactful knowledge sharing, and effective workforce development programs and training resources. ABA is committed to enhancing its mission by growing the category and promoting the industry as the destination workplace. In 2025, ABA earned the prestigious Great Place To Work® Certification, underscoring its commitment to delivering on the Higher Level Impact strategic objective by fostering a strong internal culture that drives excellence for the commercial baking industry.