“Alan joins us with a broad range of experience in manufacturing operations, quality and sales, which makes him an excellent addition to our ingredient solutions team,” said Tim Newkirk, president and chief operating officer. “We are fortunate to have someone with his dynamic competencies to assist us in moving forward the specialty sales area of the company.”

Baker most recently served as senior account manager in meat and convenience at Cargill. In this capacity, his responsibilities included product sales, working directly with customer research and development groups and coordinating product development with Cargill’s technical and application department, as well as advising senior management on market trends. Baker previously served at Cargill as southeast account manager from1999 to 2005 and technical sales and service from 1998 to1999.

From 1997 to 1998, Baker was employed by North Carolina Plastic, a division of Deans’ Plastic. As southeast account manager, he increased plant sales by $2 million in his first year. Between 1984 and 1997, Baker was employed by Harris Teeter, a division of Ruddick Company of Charlotte, N.C. During his time at Harris Teeter, he was production, purchasing and procurement manager for seven years. Baker then served as traffic manager from 1987 to 1989 and previously held the position of inventory control manager for two years. Baker managed several projects for the quality assurance department from1984 to1985. He was shift supervisor and assistant plant engineer at C & T Refinery, a division of the C. F. Sauer Company from 1983-1984.

Baker is a graduate of Clemson University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in food science in 1983. He is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists, the National Ice Cream Association, Sauce and Salad Association, Tri State Dairy Association, Florida Dairy Products, Quality Check, and Southern Dairy Association.

From the April 14, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash