Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA), Overland Park, Kan., honored Steve Wright (center) of Hansaloy Corp., Davenport, Iowa, with the BEMA Lifetime Achievement Award at its Winter Summit luncheon, held in March at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. The award recognizes exemplary service from a BEMA member, according to Kerwin Brown (left), BEMA president and CEO, and is a way of thanking members who have made a significant contribution to the organization.

Steve’s son, Allen Wright (right), vice president of sales at Hansaloy Corp., presented the award to his father, as the entire Wright family looked on.

Allen described his father as someone who has always seen the world through the eyes of an engineer. Steve began his career at Alcoa and moved on to Hansaloy in 1979 to work as the plant engineer. He used his engineering mind and experience to pioneer product design and process improvements. In 1992, Steve was named president of Hansaloy, an opportunity that led him to BEMA.

Steve’s first BEMA meeting was in 1986 in Hyannis Port, Mass., and he went on to attend 21 consecutive annual meetings, making numerous friendships and connections.

Steve served as BEMA president from 2000-2001 as well as served on the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) committee as treasurer for several show cycles. While involved in BEMA leadership, he contributed to significant changes within the organization including hiring a full-time president and CEO.

“If you know Steve, you would know he would not take sole credit for any of these actions,” said Allen at the presentation. “He was part of a good group, and he used his expertise and experience for the good of BEMA. He provided leadership when required and vital guidance for the organization throughout his 20-plus-year involvement.”