BEMA, the trade association representing bakery and food equipment manufacturers and suppliers, has revealed the recipient of its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award: Dennis Gunnell, president, Formost Fuji.

Gunnell's entry into the industry came after turning down a programmer role at the not-yet public Microsoft for an inside sales role at Formost Fuji. He knew that sitting at a terminal writing code would not be for him. During his bakery visits, he saw first-hand the importance of noticing where help and support might be needed and how to build the necessary contacts to strengthen relationships and reputations over time.

Self-evaluation, progress, and confidence

Having been a college and professional athlete with hours of practice time helped lay the groundwork for a mindset of maintaining a constant level of readiness for opportunity. A last-minute request to fill in for Al Formo at a BEMA meeting, an inaugural inductee into the BEMA Lifetime Achievement Award, led to Gunnell attending his first BEMA Convention on Amelia Island (1996), with Formo and Gunnell attending many BEMA meetings together.

Over the years, an openness to opportunity and a dislike of the status quo led him to continually look for ways to be better, BEMA says.

“You need to keep improving and refining and sometimes it’s hard to look at ourselves in this way,” Gunnell says. “In sports, game day is just a small part of it, the rest of the week you’re always looking for ways to get better.”

Finding ways to be a part of something

Gunnell has served within a number of roles within the industry, including service on the International Committee, the first one at BEMA, and serving on the board of directors. During this time, he benefitted from the mentorship of Fred Springer, the award’s namesake. Mentorship from Springer included sharing what was needed to be an integral part of BEMA, a lesson he continues to demonstrate with the BEMA volunteer members he mentors, the organization says.

Gunnell has served in prominent industry roles. These roles, including the IBIE Executive Committee, have been instrumental in increasing collaboration throughout the industry and within the associations.

“You never know where the path of service might lead or how it might create an opportunity for you or someone else,” he says. “Service is another way of contributing to the next generation, assisting them as they grow in their careers and in their BEMA life.”

“This award comes as a surprise and a great honor,” Gunnell concludes. “It is recognition of a lot of work, a symbol of 40 years of building relationships, making progress, and putting myself out there for the industry.”

About the Lifetime Achievement Award

The Fred Springer Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2001 to honor those who go above and beyond, impacting the organization and the industry in a variety of ways. In 2002, BEMA recognized Ed Meise, Al Formo, and Edwin “Eddie” Lanham as the first recipients of the Award.

In 2018, BEMA renamed the award to recognize the lifelong contribution of Fred Springer to BEMA and the industry. Springer is reportedly known as a leader and an advisor to many. He is celebrated for recognizing new industry talent and giving them the experience, mentorship, and exposure necessary to spread their wings in service to the industry.

All recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are known for making a mark throughout their career, and these individuals personify the powerful sense of momentum that occurs when people see and feel the mission of an organization, BEMA says. These qualities serve to draw in others as they look for ways to support the organization through activities and service that make an impact.

Lifetime Achievement Award past winners:

• 2002: Ed Meise, Al Formo, Edwin “Eddie” Lanham
• 2003: Tom Belshaw, Dale S. Lecrone
• 2003: Robert Loeb
• 2004: Jim Fay  
• 2006: Bill Pulver, Fred Pfening II  
• 2007: Dick Pulver, Rosemary Zuern
• 2008: Sterrett Campbell, Charles Burford  
• 2009: Candy Taylor, Robert Kirkpatrick
• 2010: John van Laar, Robert Zielsdorf
• 2012: Don Ivey
• 2013: Steve Wright
• 2015: Hans van der Maarel  
• 2018: Fred Springer *Award was re-named The Fred Springer Lifetime Achievement Award. 
• 2019: Rich Hoskins
• 2023: DJ Lecrone  
• 2024: Mike Gude

Related: BEMA opens registration for its 2025 convention