Chris Clark joins the American Bakers Association (ABA0 as vice president of operations, effective Aug. 12. He replaces ABA senior vice president of operations Chuck Wellard, who recently departed ABA for a senior position with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

“Mr. Clark brings a wealth of experience to the ABA team, which will further strengthen the organization and allow ABA to better serve its members,” says ABA president and CEO Robb MacKie. “Chris is currently the VP, operations, member services and education for the Snack Food Association (SFA). He brings a broad range of expertise and food industry knowledge from his time with SFA, the Financial Service Credit Union and the Grocery Manufacturers Association.”

ABA also promoted Teresa Grant to director of finance. Grant has served ABA with increasingly greater responsibilities in her nine years with the organization. She has day-to-day responsibilities for ABA’s and the International Baking Industry Exposition’s (IBIE) finances and leads the budget and audit preparation efforts for ABA’s finances.

“Ms. Grant has seen tremendous growth in her service to ABA and its members,” says MacKie. “She is ABA's unsung hero in her efforts to ensure our members can have complete confidence in our financials. It has been one of my greatest pleasures as ABA President to foster Teresa’s growth and development.

“On behalf of the ABA professional staff, the ABA members and the IBIE Committee, I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Wellard for his dedication, passion and incredible service to ABA these past eight years. The true test of an individual is the legacy they leave behind, and I can, without hesitation or hyperbole, say that ABA, IBIE and the baking industry are far stronger for Chuck’s efforts. We genuinely wish him success in his future endeavors and know that no matter where his journey takes him, he will remain a passionate advocate for the baking industry.”