WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bakers Association (ABA) is extremely pleased to bestow the namesake of and inspiration for the Phelps Award to Kathy Kinter Phelps. She was most recently the former Assistant Director of Education and Membership at the American Bakers Association, but most know her as an integral pillar of the Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers’ Association (B&CMA) for 20 years and the pioneer of the Correspondence Course.
This newly created annual award will be presented to the graduating student with the second highest grade-point average in the Correspondence Course. The student with the highest grade-point average is awarded the Vander Heide Award.
“Kathy has been the backbone of cookie and cracker education over the years and saw it through to the standard it sets today. She supported the students through their training and cared about their professional development, ” said Senior Advisor to the President & CEO: B&CMA Transition & Development Dave Van Laar. “She took an interest in each member and diligently served them with professionalism and personalization. Her dedication to the members and the industry is exceptional; she will be dearly missed.”
“We will miss her passion, dedication, and can-do spirit to the biscuit and cracker community,” said ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie. “In many ways, Kathy was the face of B&CMA. She was an incredible ambassador for the industry and the association, so it is fitting to recognize her exemplary work.”
“It’s been my honor to work for all of you. The past twenty years have flown by, and I’ve always had your [the members’] best interests at heart,” said Phelps. “You meant the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 1,000 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, cookies, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $153 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 799,500 highly skilled people.
About the 2017 Technical Conference:
The Technical Conference is the largest conference designed specifically for cookie, cracker and baking manufacturing professionals to participate in hands-on training, strengthen skills and knowledge, and engage in powerful industry networking. The renowned Technical Conference, formerly produced by the Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers’ Association (B&CMA), is part of the enhanced portfolio of services available to the new, unified membership, following the merger of ABA and B&CMA. Follow with #ABATechConference to join the conversation and stay updated.
Source: American Bakers Association