Industry Experts To Address Workforce Skills Gap At ABA Fall Policy Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the NextGenBaker Morning Program of the American Bakers Association’s (ABA) 2015 Fall Policy Conference, baking industry leaders will come together to address the recruitment, retention, and development of today’s workforce and beyond.

On October 22 in Washington, D.C., NextGenBaker Co-Chairs Jesse Amoroso of Amoroso’s Baking Company and Morgan Murphy of Mother Murphy’s Flavors, will moderate the Industry Skills Gap Initiative Panel. Panelists Laurie Graves, Director of People Systems for The Bama Companies, and Rowdy Brixey, Director of Engineering and Maintenance Optimization for Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU), will discuss strategies for building the talent pipeline to sustain and grow attendees’ businesses.

“As the baking industry looks to develop its next generation of industry leaders, NextGenBaker is excited to host a dynamic panel on workforce development featuring two key leaders in this arena,” said Amoroso. “Laurie and Rowdy will offer attendees a thorough overview of their companies’ best practices for building and retaining talent with a focus on up-and-coming executives. Attendees will walk away with tactical takeaways from this not-to-be-missed session.”

As Director of People Systems, Graves oversees all of the HR functions of The Bama Companies including staffing and people development, employee relations, compliance, comp & benefits, diversity & inclusion and corporate social responsibility, as well as a health management system which includes a comprehensive network of resources including a medical clinic and multiple fitness centers with professional staff. Graves has been with Bama for 15 years and was previously with TV Guide, Inc. for 10 years where she managed employee benefits, compensation, and risk management.

As Director of Engineering and Maintenance Optimization for BBU, Brixey is responsible for all BBU maintenance systems, maintenance training, storeroom inventory projects, preferred suppliers, and critical inspections. In 2004, Brixey was named “Rising Star” by Baking & Snack and has previously served as Co-Chairman of ABA’s Executive Leadership Development Committee (now NextGenBaker), as well as Chairman of the American Society of Baking and an ABA Bakery Industry Forum Advisory Board Member.

The ABA 2015 Fall Policy Conference, October 20-22, features three jam-packed days of ABA Policy Committee sessions, advocacy education, Capitol Hill lobbying visits, Bakers’ Dozen Reception, NextGenBaker executive leadership training and networking with industry peers and senior leaders. Registration is now open! Follow this one-of-a-kind conference with #ABAPolCon. More information may be found at http://www.americanbakers.org/aba-2015-fall-policy-conference/.

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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 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 706,000 highly skilled people.

Source: American Bakers Association