Alex Pena has been named director of product development at Pak Group L.L.C., which owns the Bellarise bakery ingredient product line. He will be responsible for initiating, planning and executing baking formulations, process development and technical services for Pak Group’s products as well as for the Bellarise brand.

“Alex Pena brings more than 15 years of industry experience and knowledge to Pak Group,” says Walter Postelwait, president of Pak Group. “His hands-on experience from Master Baker to Technologist II in R&D will be instrumental in strengthening our technical services.”

Pena began his career as a head baker, pastry chef and chef de cuisine, which then led to his recent position in the R&D department at a bakery manufacturing company. He attended the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, CA., and AIB International in Manhattan, KS. He is a member of the American Association of R&D Chefs, the Retail Bakers of America, and the American Pasty Chef Federation.

The Pak Group is a family-owned, privately held, global business operating in three industries: food, commercial real estate and packaging. Founded in 1923, Pak Group has grown to consist of 19 businesses worldwide and employs more than 1,500 people. Pak Group L.L.C., the North American Division of the Pak Group, was established to provide the North American market with yeast and baking ingredients, which the division has supplied in more than 130 countries for more than 30 years. Pak Group L.L.C. is headquartered in Los Angeles, with distribution centers throughout the United States.