VAIL, COLO. — Mark Hotze, vice-president, Corbion, has been elected 2019-20 chairman of BEMA. Mr. Hotze took the gavel from Paul Lattan, publisher, Baking & Snack magazine, at the association’s annual convention, held June 17-21 in Vail.

Mr. Hotze will continue efforts from previous chairmen, including sharpening the focus of a new committee structure and increasing strategic alliances with other industry associations.

“When we met a year ago, the previous chairman had completed a board governance update and strategic plan,” Mr. Lattan said during the general membership meeting. “We took that governance and strategic plan and applied it to everything we did.”

Jim Warren, vice-president, Exact Mixing, Reading Bakery Systems, Robesonia, Pa., was appointed as third vice-chair on the executive committee.

The executive team also announced the appointment of Delia Justable, global sanitary compliance manager, Forbo Siegling, Huntersville, N.C., to the association’s board of directors.

A longtime member, Ms. Justable has been an active participant in various BEMA committees and programs, including the safety and sanitation committee, the Baking Industry Forum and the FSMA task force.

Additionally, Jay Hardy, national sales director, J&K Ingredients, Paterson, N.J.; and Mike Day, president, Banner-Day, Saginaw, Mich.; were named to a second term on the board of directors.

“BEMA membership is pushing the edge of efficiency, food safety and sustainability in all the things we do to make the process of baking and the supply chain better,” Mr. Lattan said. “These are objectives we will continue to push as these executives pass the gavel from year to year.”

During his term as chairman, Mr. Hotze plans to further enhance partnership with the American Bakers Association — which co-owns the International Baking Industry Exposition with BEMA — and support the Grain Foods Foundation in its launch of the industry’s checkoff program.

He also plans to build on BEMA’s education efforts for members and bakers and increase bakery awareness in STEM programs for school-age children.

“Looking back on past chairs, it has been a ‘who’s who’ of the baking industry,” Mr. Hotze said. “Building on the efforts of those who have held the gavel before me is an honor. I don’t take this position lightly. These are issues that have already begun to change our industry, and if I can continue with even half that momentum, we will all be in great shape.”

The 2019-20 BEMA executive committee includes Mr. Hotze as chairman of the board; Rick Hoskins, president, Colborne Foodbotics, as first vice-chair; Tim Cook, president, Shick Esteve, as second vice-chair; and Mr. Warren and Mr. Lattan as third vice-chair and immediate past chair, respectively.