PAULA A. MARSHALL
Chief Executive Officer
40 years at Bama

As Bama’s Chief Executive Officer, Paula provides strategic leadership and direction to the entire organization. Her vision stands as a beacon for Bama team members, inspiring the organization to achieve the Bama mission – “People Helping People Be Successful”.

Paula assumed responsibility as CEO of the Bama Companies in 1984, which now includes Bama Pie, Bama Foods, Bama Frozen Dough, Base, Inc., and Beijing Bama. Under her leadership Bama has expanded to provide a wide variety of frozen desserts and baked goods to fast food chains and casual and family dining restaurants.

Paula received her Bachelor of Science in business from Oklahoma City University (OCU) in 1982, and her PhD in commercial science, also from OCU, in 1993.

Paula recently published a book titled Sometimes Being A CEO Looks Pretty Tough, based on her journey through life and how learning to draw and sketch has given her a new perspective on life. In 2009, she published her second book, Finding the Soul of Big Business: One Company’s Ego Elimination Strategy, which is based on Bama’s application of W. Edwards Deming’s theories of Profound Knowledge, and the her personal belief that by utilizing Deming’s theories, management can lead American business away from the brink of extinction.

To learn more about our CEO, check out Paula's blog.

MARK J. BENDIX
President & Chief Operating Officer
5 years at Bama

Mark Bendix is responsible for Bama’s U.S. customer and operations teams, based in Tulsa, OK, and Bama’s operations in Beijing and Guangzhou China. Mark provides leadership and direction for the McDonald’s Strategic Business Unit, National Accounts and Foodservice Distribution.

Mark joined The Bama Companies, Inc. in 2005 after spending much of his career in the foodservice division of General Mills, Pillsbury, and The Quaker Oats Co. While with General Mills, Mark served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the bakeries and foodservice division, overseeing all phases of growth for a $1.1 billion division. At Pillsbury, Mark was Vice President and General Manager of the bakeries and foodservice division. He held a variety of sales and marketing positions with The Quaker Oats Co. Mark has served on the International Food Manufacturers Association’s Board of Directors for five years, spent three years on the Multi-cultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance Board and was an Executive Advisor to General Mills’ Black Champions and Hispanic Networks. In 2002, Mark received the Champion of Diversity Award from the Greater Twin Cities Chapter of the Diversity Roundtable. Mark is a member of the Young Presidents Organization and is an active participant in the Foodservice Advisory Council within YPO.

WILLIAM L. CHEW
Chief Financial Officer
16 years at Bama

Bill Chew is the Chief Financial Officer for The Bama Companies, Inc. His responsibilities include finance, accounting, banking, Information Services, strategic planning, People Systems, and merger / acquisition activity in the U.S. and abroad. In addition, Bill provides strategic leadership for Base, Inc., a liquid sweetener operation comprised of an unloading facility, a transportation operation and a railcar storage yard.

Bill has over 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, acquisitions, and consulting. He has extensive training and experience in quality improvement, leadership, strategic planning, and Six Sigma.

Prior to Bama, Bill was a Partner elect in a Chicago based consulting firm where Bill assisted clients in the areas of strategic sourcing and sales and marketing.

Bill began his career in 1978 with Price Waterhouse in the Chicago office after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois.

KEVIN C. WILSON
Vice President, Operations
2 years at Bama

Kevin Wilson is the Vice President of Operations and Quality at The Bama Companies, Inc. In this role, Kevin’s area of responsibility includes all of U.S. manufacturing, including various support functions. Kevin’s scope of responsibility encompasses Research & Development, Quality Systems, Logistics, Maintenance and Engineering, Sanitation and all aspects of food and human safety.

Prior to working at Bama, Kevin worked for A.J. Bush Brothers, The Pillsbury Company and General Mills. While at Pillsbury/General Mills, Kevin served in a variety of operations and quality/process improvement roles including Director of Technical Services in Wellston, Ohio, as well as Midland and Winnipeg, Canada and Plant Manager and Director of Operations in Joplin, Missouri.

Kevin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering and Technology, as well as his Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Michigan State University. He earned an Associate Degree from Kansas State University in Flour and Grain Science. In addition, he earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix.

AL GOMEZ
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
2 years at Bama

Al Gomez is responsible for all National Account and Foodservice Sales and Marketing in the U.S. Al also provides direction to Bama’s Customer Service team.

Al joined The Bama Companies, Inc. after spending much of his career in the Foodservice Divisions of General Mills, Pillsbury, and Continental Mills. Al served as the Ohio Valley Zone Manager in General Mill’s bakeries and foodservice division. In addition to this role, Al implemented a college recruiting program for the bakeries and foodservice division. This enabled the division to build bench strength and support their new go-to market sales strategy. While with Pillsbury, Al was a Division Sales Manager in the Upper Midwest, selling both bakery & non-bakery brands.

Al began his career in operations as a General Manager for a Minnesota-based restaurant company. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Hospitality Management from Iowa State University. Al was an active member of the Hispanic Network at General Mills and a member of the Multi-cultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance.

ROCKY MOORE
Vice President, Finance, IT & Strategic Sourcing
9 years at Bama

Rocky Moore is the Vice President of Finance, IT and Strategic Sourcing at The Bama Companies, Inc. The team members in his organization provide vital support to Bama’s U.S. manufacturing operation in the areas of finance, accounting, information services, and strategic sourcing.

Rocky began his career at Ernst & Young as a Manager of Assurance Services. He received his BSBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Tulsa in 1995 and earned his CPA in 1997. The University of Tulsa awarded him the Young Alumni of the Year award in 2004 as recognition for the outstanding achievements and successes that have accompanied his career.

In addition to his work at Bama, Rocky has served on the board of the Ronald McDonald House of Tulsa for over six years where he has served as Treasurer.

SHELLY K. HOLDEN
Vice President, People Systems
18 years at Bama

As Vice President, People Systems, Shelly provides leadership in the areas of compensation and benefits, staffing, training and development. Under Shelly’s direction, Bama has implemented a health and wellness strategy, which includes the Bama Family Clinic and fitness centers at each Tulsa location. These facilities, coupled with a comprehensive system of team member support, contribute to achieving Bama’s company mission of “People Helping People Be Successful”. Along with the entire People Systems department, Shelly ensures effective processes and systems to care for the company’s unique culture, engaging work environment, and the growth, development and retention of their team members.

Shelly began her career at The Bama Companies, Inc in 1992 and has served the organization in a variety of leadership roles in sales & marketing, business development, customer service, project management, and Six Sigma. For many years, Shelly has been a member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum and the Society for Human Resource Management. In 2007, she was recognized by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women / Metro Tulsa as a Woman of Achievement during their National Business Women’s Celebration. Shelly also serves on the Tulsa Area YWCA Board of Directors. She is passionate about empowering women and mentoring women in the business environment.

BERNARD SHERIDAN
Vice President & General Manager, Asia
11 years at Bama

As Vice President and General Manager for Bama’s operations in Asia, Bernie has led the company’s growth in Asia. In this role, he is responsible for all facets of sales, operations and administration for Bama’s three facilities in China, serving all of Asia. Grounded in operations, Bernie has also overseen the construction and start-up of four processing facilities in China, two of them for Bama.

Bernie joined The Bama Companies, Inc. in 1999 after spending 12 years with Chicago-based meat processor OSI Industries, Inc. He has spent 22 years living and working in the Greater China region including the last 16 years in the People’s Republic of China both for Bama and OSI and six years in Taipei, Taiwan where he ran a meat processing facility for OSI. Prior to that, Bernie also has spent 10 years working for the McDonald’s Corporation.

Bernie serves on the Board of Directors for McDonald’s China Ronald McDonald House Charities and is the Chairman for the McDonald’s China Supply Chain Leadership Council. As an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce – China, he has served in various committee leadership roles.