MANHATTAN, KAS. — Robb MacKie, president and chief executive officer of the American Bakers Association, has been elected chairman of the Kansas State University Grain Science & Industry Advisory Council. He succeeds David Krejci, who served as chairman for the past six years.
The council provides input and guidance to Gordon Smith, Ph.D., head of the Grain Science & Industry Department. Input is provided by stakeholder industries such as baking, milling, feed science and pet food.
“I am honored to work with my industry peers to strengthen the globally recognized and respected academic leader in grain science,” Mr. MacKie said. “The department plays a vital role in developing future leaders, conducting leading grain science research and working with the grower community.”
Mr. MacKie has been president and c.e.o. of the A.B.A. since 2006, and earlier he spent 10 years as vice-president of government relations for the association. Prior to joining the A.B.A. he was director of congressional relations — labor for the Associated General Contractors of America, assistant director of government relations for the American Subcontractors Association, and legislative assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives.
He has been a member of the K.S.U. Grain Science & Industry Advisory Council since 2006.
“We have a number of projects ahead of us to help the department,” Mr. MacKie said. “Specifically, we will be focusing on assisting the department with student recruitment, scholarship development and upgrading facilities. I also look forward to increasing the awareness of the work of the department in the baking industry.”
