“We welcome these excellent additions to the board of trustees,” said John Riesch, chairman of the board. “Each has impressive talents and expertise in their respective sectors. We are fortunate to have them share their wisdom to guide our long-term goals and initiatives.”

Judy Abrams

Abrams is a financial and management consultant in Missouri, with experience in a range of industries, including food, retail, commercial construction, and with non-profits. Prior to her consulting work, she led The Earthgrains Co. in corporate planning and acquisitions. She later provided internal investment strategies for Sara Lee Bakery after they acquired The Earthgrains Co. More recently she has been chief financial officer for Tarlton Corp., a commercial construction company.

Michael Leikam

Leikam is president and chief executive officer of Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC, which is a $2 billion supply chain cooperative for the Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant groups. Before joining CSCS, he was executive director of strategic supply management for DineEquity. Leikam started in the restaurant industry working for Pizza Hut, which was a division of PepsiCo at the time. He held a variety of roles in the I.T. and finance functions before transferring to PepsiCo Restaurant Services (P.R.S.). At P.R.S., he was one of several project directors responsible for managing the consolidation of the accounting and financial systems of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC into a single-shared service organization. 

Pat Murphy

Murphy is director, supply chain leader for the Convenience and Foodservice segment of General Mills, Inc. His career spans 30 years as he has taken on increased responsibilities with General Mills across seven plants and three headquarters assignments. He was instrumental in leading General Mills through one of its largest single capital investment projects. 

Lucy Williams

Williams is vice-president and trust officer at The Trust Co. Williams began her career in banking in 1980 at the Union National Bank & Trust Company in Manhattan where she was the assistant to the president. She later became the personnel director where she was responsible for administering services for 90 employees and then a personal banking officer assisting high-net worth customers with personalized banking services. When Union National was purchased by Commerce Bank in 1992, she was promoted to her current role. 

In addition to the four new appointments, the 2018 AIB International board of trustees includes: Bradley Allen, vice-president of operations, Ardent Mills; Greg Boyd, vice-president of manufacturing, Flowers Foods, Inc.; Barry Clayton, senior vice-president, bakery ingredients, AB Mauri North America; Jeffrey Dearduff, corporate director, Baking & Snack, The Austin Co.; Brian Dwyer, director, manufacturing operations, Kroger Co.; Todd Larson, vice-president, operations, Henningsen Cold Storage Co.; Michael Martin, vice-president, R&D/Quality, The Bama Companies; Richard McGrath, partner, Lockton Companies; John Morris, PhD, CPA, associate professor, director of MAcc Program, Kansas State University; John Riesch, director, Lesaffre Yeast Corp., and board chair; Ramon Rivera, senior vice-president, operations, North America, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Craig Slavtcheff, vice-president, Global R&D – Biscuits & Snacks Division/U.S. Biscuit & Bakery Group, Campbell Soup Co.; Donald Thriffiley, Jr., principal, KAT Management Group, LLC; Nick Weigel, vice-president, technical services, ADM Milling Co.; and Campbell Williams, director of operations, BCW Food Products, Inc.