CHICAGO — The American Society of Baking will induct five industry leaders into the Baking Hall of Fame on Feb. 26, 2018, during a special ceremony at BakingTech 2018 in Chicago. The inductees include Cordia Harrington, The Bakery Cos.; Connie Lane and William Mead, Campbell Taggart, Inc.; and Michael and Lawrence Marcucci, Alpha Baking Co .
“The baking industry and its allied suppliers continue to provide us with excellent candidates,” said John Del Campo, chair of the A.S.B. Baking Hall of Fame Evaluation Committee. “The committee thanks all those who nominated individuals for the coming year’s honors. It was an extraordinary list.”
Ms. Harrington, chief executive officer and president, The Bakery Cos., Nashville, Tenn., has excelled in three different fields throughout her lifetime: first as a top-selling real-estate agent, then as a successful quick-service fast-food franchisee and, today, as owner and operator of a multi-plant bakery business with wholesale operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Known as “The Bun Lady,” she is also active in efforts to nurture and promote the next generation of baking industry leaders.
Michael Marcucci, chairman, and Lawrence Marcucci, c.e.o., Alpha Baking Co., Chicago, took their years of experience in the family’s business, Gonnella Baking, and set out on their own. While still in their 20s, the cousins acquired two local bakeries in the late 1970s and set them back on a profitable path. In doing so, they not only helped preserve Chicago’s rich wholesale baking heritage but also added new technologies, new products and plenty of new customers in new distribution channels. Today, the independent business comprises six productive, well-capitalized businesses. The Marcuccis also have devoted time to the industry, serving as officers and board members of the American Bakers Association, the American Institute of Baking, the A.S.B. and the International Baking Industry Exposition.
Mr. Lane, former president, and Mr. Mead, former chairman and c.e.o., The Earthgrains Co., Dallas — previously Campbell Taggart, Inc., and today part of Bimbo Bakeries USA — formed the second-largest bakery in the United States by the 1980s. They were the first to apply computer analysis to cost controls, bakery efficiency and organizational structure. The executives invested substantially in new technology to open new markets, specifically taking pan variety bread to national distribution. They foresaw the promise of whole grain bread, ultimately renaming the company after the brand of its market-leading products. They served in leadership positions with industry groups, including the A.B.A. and the AIB.
“These individuals all showed magnificent leadership and represent the best qualities of compassion, forward thinking and personal judgment,” Mr. Del Campo said. “Speaking for all members of the evaluation committee, it is an honor for us to look at their accomplishments. They inspire our future by their examples.”
Since its launch in 2006, the Baking Hall of Fame will have enshrined 80 individuals from all parts of the baking industry — from bakeries, allied equipment to ingredient suppliers, schools, service organizations and publishers.
To read more about current and past inductees, click here.
