Baking & Snack - February 2020 - 21

SPECIAL REPORT
2020 Baking Hall of Fame

the

historymakers

Four Baking Hall of Fame inductees impacted the industry in their own way.
by Nico Roesler

On any successful team, individuals must know, execute
and excel in their roles. This year's American Society of
Baking (ASB)'s Baking Hall of Fame inductees exemplify
how singular greatness can impact a team, a company
and the industry.
Gary Brodsky, Antonio Gonzalez Navarro, Amos
McMullian and Gordon Smith will be recognized during
the organization's annual BakingTech conference, March
1-3 in Chicago. The profiles on the following pages narrate how they exceeded expectations in their roles as "The
Teacher," "The Engineer," "The Architect" and "The Helper."
New at this year's induction ceremony will be a panel
discussion led by Joanie Spencer, editor, Baking & Snack,
featuring Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. McMullian.
Each inductee will give brief remarks, followed by a
30-minute discussion with Ms. Spencer and questions
from the audience.
"We can all learn from the individuals we elect to the
Baking Hall of Fame," said Rowdy Brixey, ASB Baking
Hall of Fame Evaluation Committee chair and president of Brixey Engineering Strategies & Training. "They
embody the best of the industry and have earned not
only our deep respect but also this coveted place in baking's legacy."
Mr. Brodsky managed several baking facilities
throughout his career. He oversaw operations at Banquet
Foods, Brownberry Ovens, Arnold Bakers and East Balt
Bakeries Co. Mr. Brodsky transformed the industry's relationship with the fast-food sector by altering the way
bakeries around the world supply restaurants. A supplier
covenant he devised supported McDonald's expansion
into international markets. In addition to these efforts,
he also served as ASB chairman during the creation of
the Baking Hall of Fame. Mr. Brodsky currently works
as a consultant for McDonald's bakeries in the AsiaPacific region.
Starting as an engineering trainee at Mexico Citybased Grupo Bimbo, Mr. Gonzalez has worked in a

range of positions at the company, including chief of
new installations, manager of new projects and head of
global engineering. He helped establish Grupo Bimbo as
an international player in the baking industry, leading
its expansion into North, Central and South American
markets. During his time with the company, he built
well-rounded teams that boosted growth while also taking associates under his wing.
Mr. McMullian was president, CEO and chairman of
Flowers Foods, Thomasville, GA, and led the company
from 1981 to 2004. He took Flowers from a regional
baked foods manufacturer to America's second largest
baking company. He held a variety of roles throughout
his 56-year tenure including assistant controller, plant
manager, regional vice-president and division president.
Under his guidance, Flowers saw more than 60 mergers
and acquisitions and the development of Nature's Own,
the baking industry's first $1 billion bread brand.
Founder of Smith Bakeries and the Allied Trades of
the Baking Industry (ATBI), Mr. Smith was an industry
pioneer. In 1899, he started Smith Bakeries, a wholesale
bread and bun bakery, in Mobile, AL. He ran the company as owner and chairman until his passing in 1974.
Mr. Smith was also an advocate for fair and professional
business practices. In 1920, he became increasingly concerned about deteriorating relationships among suppliers and challenged the salesmen to adopt a better rapport through participation in a professional association
of their peers. This concept became ATBI. Today, the
supplier group supports bakers and industry innovation
through a variety of initiatives. ATBI is celebrating its
100th anniversary in 2020.
Since launching in 2006, the Baking
Hall of Fame has recognized more than
80 people for their efforts and contributions to the industry and to
their respective teams, communities
and families.

www.bakingbusiness.com / February 2020 Baking & Snack 21

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Baking & Snack - February 2020

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