Remarks from Lee Sanders, ABA's SVP of Government Relations and Public Affairs, awarding Theresa Cogswell with the Robert A. Fischer Distinguished Service Award:
“The Robert A. Fischer Distinguished Service award is given annually to recognize outstanding service and leadership by an individual to the Society.
The Society’s mission is to facilitate this interaction by promoting personal growth and professional development through education and collaboration. It is through the interactions and contributions of our members that we foster mutually meaningful business relationships. Colleagues share knowledge, encourage and promote skill development and create resources that advance the industry and its workforce.
Theresa Schlagel Cogswell, the 2019 Robert A Fischer awardee, is the embodiment of a role model for baking professionals. A true leader, passionate baker; sharer of expertise; innovator; ground breaker not afraid to use a sledgehammer, when needed; a life - long learner; a mentor and encourager of career growth, team builder; willing to take on new challenges for the betterment of ASB, her organization and the benefit of the baking industry.
Shattering the glass ceiling for women in the industry like one of her mentors and friends, ASB Baking Hall of Fame recipient Rella Dwyer, In 2007, Theresa was named as the first female chair of the American Society of Baking. Theresa has been a member of the Society for 26 years and has served the baking industry for over 40 years.
Theresa’s career path from a passionate Kansas State University Milling Science & Management graduate to professional baker started with her first position as
Paniplus Research Baker, from there she went to ADM, Arkady Division Product Development Coordinator then to TJ Cinnamon’s as director of research and development after that Theresa wento Wilke INTL led Ingredient Sales & marketing for new technology ingredients next she went to Real Food Marketing Inc director of sales and marketing which lead her to Interstate Brands Corporation in 1992 where she rose from research & development manager, to director to Vice President where she oversaw a corporate team for product development, regulatory compliance and consumer affairs - an example of her ground-breaking innovative work is development of an extended shelf life system for Bread and cake products that improved product quality and distribution efficiency.
In 2007, the same year Theresa was ASB Chair, she founded and became president of BakerCogs, Inc a consulting business that assisted clients with innovation, technical services, new product development, market insights, regulatory compliance consumer affairs and public relations. Theresa’s positive outlooks, expertise and great network enabled her to establish a thriving business for nine years.
To cap off her successful career, Theresa served as Corbion’s Director of Innovation from 2016 until she retired last fall.
Throughout Theresa’s career ascension, she did not forget about what really counts – family - and she made time for and was a dedicated wife to her husband Phil and devoted mother to her two amazing daughters Leah and Katie, while giving back to her beloved industry, her community, and her church.
Not only was she a leader in ASB but also in other key Organizations including :
- Her 25+ year service on the American Bakers Association Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee.
- AACCI – Where she served as a Milling and Baking Division Chair & on the Scientific Advisory Committee
- AIB - Scientific Advisory Committee Member
- IFT – member at both a national and local level
- Wheat Quality Council participant
- ATBI member and active MidWest ATBI member
- Former Bakers National Education Foundation Executive Director
- A Founder & Past President of the Society of Bakery Women
- And was appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee
On behalf of the American Society of Baking, I am honored to present the 2019 Robert A. Fischer Distinguished Service Award to Theresa Schlagel Cogswell – an amazing professional, wonderful person and my dear friend.”
