Leading Executives in Bread Routes
Steve Cooper
Chief Executive Officer, Schwebel Baking Company
Chief executive steering one of the Midwest’s legacy regional bread bakers and its direct-store-delivery route network across OH/PA/WV.
Tony DiNitto
Founder & Principal, Route Tycoon
Former route contractor turned advisor who popularized buyer training and due‑diligence playbooks for evaluating bread and snack routes.
Dale Easdon
Chief Executive Officer, Klosterman Baking Company
Operator-focused chief executive leading Klosterman’s growth and operational upgrades following its 2022 acquisition by New Water Capital; known for strengthening route execution and customer responsiveness.
Chris Foley
EVP & President, Snacks, Campbell Soup Company (Pepperidge Farm/Campbell Snacks)
Heads Campbell’s $8B+ Snacks division (including Pepperidge Farm breads and cookies) that operates via a nationwide network of independent distributors.
Tony Gavin
President, Bimbo Bakeries USA
U.S. president of Grupo Bimbo’s largest market, overseeing brands like Arnold, Oroweat, Sara Lee and Thomas’ with one of the country’s biggest bread DSD footprints.
Brian LeComte
President & COO, Gold Medal Bakery
Fourth‑generation executive leading New England’s large DSD baker; in 2025 expanded English‑muffin capacity to support route growth.
Larry Marcucci
Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Baking Company (S. Rosen’s, Natural Ovens)
Long‑time CEO behind S. Rosen’s and Natural Ovens; co‑led scale‑up of fresh and frozen route distribution and elevated a new CFO in 2025 to support growth.
Mark Marcucci
President, Alpha Baking Company (S. Rosen’s, Natural Ovens)
Co‑leader of Chicago’s route‑driven bread business, partnering closely with operations and sales to expand DSD coverage across the Midwest.
Tony Martin
President, Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe (Martin’s Potato Rolls)
Third‑generation president advancing the iconic potato roll brand’s foodservice and retail route expansion nationwide.
A. Ryals McMullian
Chairman, President & CEO, Flowers Foods (Nature’s Own, Dave’s Killer Bread, Wonder, Tastykake)
Chairman, president & CEO leading one of America’s largest fresh‑bread producers with a vast independent‑distributor route model; guided the 2025 Simple Mills acquisition to diversify the portfolio.
Kim Nisbet
Chief Executive Officer, United States Bakery (Franz Family Bakery)
34‑year company veteran elevated to CEO in 2024, now leading Franz’s West‑Coast route network and multi‑plant footprint.
Rafael Pamias
Chief Executive Officer, Grupo Bimbo
Global chief executive (since May 1, 2024) steering the world’s largest baking company, setting product and sustainability strategy that shapes U.S. bread routes via Bimbo Bakeries USA.
Bill Paterakis
President & CEO, H&S Bakery / Northeast Foods / Schmidt Baking
President & CEO of one of the largest family‑owned baking networks on the East Coast—powering extensive bread routes and major QSR supply through H&S/Northeast Foods/Schmidt.
John F. Popp
President, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
Third‑ and fourth‑generation leader guiding Aunt Millie’s multi‑state DSD network; long‑time Sunbeam licensee and Midwest bread mainstay.
Ron Slusser
Founder & Owner/Broker, Routes For Sale
Industry broker known as the “Route Guru,” having founded one of the largest marketplaces for buying/selling bread and snack routes with 20+ years’ route experience.
H. Dean Short
President, Lewis Bakeries (Lewis Bake Shop, Bunny Bread, Butternut)
Third‑generation company president leading a 2,000‑employee baker across 17 states; secured a 2024 strategic investment to accelerate route‑market growth.
Kenneth Sussman
Founder & President, Route Brokers, Inc.
Founder and president credited with creating the professional marketplace for buying and selling route distribution businesses in 1985; a long‑time thought leader in route brokerage.
Mark Taira
Chief Executive Officer, King’s Hawaiian (Irresistible Foods Group)
Family CEO expanding the brand’s national bread and buns footprint; announced a $54M Georgia expansion in 2025 to add production capacity.
Joe Turano
President, Turano Baking Company
Third‑generation president scaling Turano’s artisan breads and rolls across multi‑state DSD markets; also serves on the American Bakers Association board leadership.
Heeth Varnedoe
President & Chief Operating Officer, Flowers Foods (Nature’s Own, Wonder, Tastykake, Dave’s Killer Bread)
Former chief transformation officer and DSD sales leader elevated to president & COO; key architect of Flowers’ route‑to‑market modernization.
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