The Retail Bakers of America will be on a fast track to success with new board president Beth Fahey, co-owner of Creative Cakes Bakery & Café in Tinley Park, Illinois. Fahey is ready for the challenge and is excited about continuing the success of the RBA.

"This is a really dynamic time in the RBA's nearly 100-year history. Niche bakeries are popping up all over the country, and with it, a renewed respect for scratch baking. Bakery goods are as creative and diverse as the owners of today's bakeries. It's an exciting time to be part of the RBA," she says.

Fahey, along with her sister Becky Palermo, bought Creative Cakes in 2002 and it has become a beacon of baking excellence in Chicago's southwestern suburbs. Their baked goods have been sought out for a myriad of events and special occasions of all sizes. In April 2014, the sisters took on an expansion and opened a quick-service café that complements their bakery. 

As Fahey's two-year term as president begins, the RBA is on a successful upswing with new programs, strong partnerships and a new vision for the industry.  In a face-to-face meeting Atlantic City on April 2, Fahey led the RBA Board of Directors and staff in strategic planning and visioning that resulted in tangible goals for the association. 

"RBA is all about bringing bakers together. To that end, we'll be working on creating virtual communities, so that we can bring education to our members on their time,” she says. “In addition, our Baker and Cake Decorator Certification programs will become the gold standard for the bakery industry by 2020. Because our board of directors is a brain trust of industry leaders - from America's top culinary institutions, to Food Network stars, to business leaders - I am absolutely certain we will hit our goals and then some. What a fantastic group of people!"

To learn more, visit http://www.retailbakersofamerica.org/