The Oven Light

Stephanie Berez – Vice President of Marketing for Twinings North America – visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the next episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss everything from pairing teas with the perfect moments to working on iconic consumer brands for companies like Church & Dwight and Cadbury Adams and from obtaining an Ivy League degree to founding a marketing and...

Nick Fallucca is Chief Product & Innovation Officer for Palermo’s, the Milwaukee-based frozen pizza manufacturer known for brands like Screamin’ Sicilian and Urban Pie and also one of the largest private label and food service manufacturers in the country. Nick visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss everything from formula...

Barry Clayton – American Society of Baking Hall of Fame-elect and a former senior vice president with AB Mauri North America – visits with ABMNA Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in this latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss everything from baking enzyme technology to New Zealand All Blacks rugby, from living in America to exponential innovation, and everything in between. Listen...

Kerwin Brown, President & CEO of BEMA – Bakery Equipment Manufacturers & Allieds – visits with AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak in the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ They discuss Kerdog’s longtime career within the baking industry, the importance of connection-driven experiences, the #1 baking trade show in North America - IBIE, his ‘On A Roll’ podcast, the impa...

Kristen Spriggs, Executive Director of the American Society of Baking based in Indianapolis, joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo discusses Kristen’s nearly three-year tenure at ASB, her previous work in the events industry & at a midwestern basketball powerhouse university, the ever-evolving world of industrial &...

Erin Ball, Executive Director of the Grain Foods Foundation based in Washington D.C., joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo discusses the benefits of grain foods in a healthy diet, the changing face of the food industry today, consumer-led drives and demands, juggling an active nation’s capital, the importance of m...

Two founding members of the iconic 80s New Wave & Modern Rock band Wang Chung – Jack Hues and Nick Feldman – join AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for a fascinating episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The trio dives into a dynamic era of popular music, the real meaning behind the band’s name, life on the road including food choices, the uniqueness of having Wang Chung woven...

Leading international business growth and customer experience expert Jay Baer – who is also an established purveyor of tequila – joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for an excellent episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo dives into connecting with customers, enjoying the perfect bottle of tequila, finding cool plaid clothing, being recognized as a global marketing g...

1879 Distilling Company Founder Mark Disper and Head Distiller Kyle Decker join AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for this episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The trio dives into multiple topics including starting up a distillery, crafting the ideal alcohol beverage, generating great teamwork, telling unique stories through labels and branding, selling the perfect cheeseburg...

Seth Godin – author of nearly two dozen bestsellers that have been translated into more than 35 languages – joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing, Rick Oleshak, for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light.’ The duo discusses daily blogging, pioneering in the internet age, being married to a gluten-free baker, giving back & doing good, making a ruckus, racing to the top, simplifyin...

Chef Matt Borchardt, executive chef of Ronald McDonald House Charities in St. Louis, joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing, Rick Oleshak, for the newest episode of ‘The Oven Light’ podcast. The duo recounts the impact of doing good, serving others through a meal, the new, state-of-the-art Ronald McDonald House build in the Gateway City, helping up & coming chefs along the way, f...

Matt McLean – known in the food world as ‘Uncle Matt’ from Uncle Matt’s Organic juices & beverages – joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing, Rick Oleshak, for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light’. The duo discusses farming citrus crops with family, selling orange juice in Germany, drinking unsweetened black tea, supporting the Special Olympics, celebrating Florida Gator footbal...

Terence Reilly – current President of Hey Dude footwear and previously President of the iconic Stanley portfolio of tumblers and other drinkware – joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about innovation, the power of teamwork, being ready for your audition, making fast decisions, dingers at Fenway Park, homemade Iris...

Charles K. Poole – established author, thought leader, fellow podcaster, award-winning communications executive & much more – joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for a new episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about living intentionally and changing lives – including your own – with of course with a dash of baking mixed right in. Have a listen wherever you can – wal...

James Thomas, Director of the St. Louis Black and Classic Film Festivals and movie man extraordinaire, joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for a new episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about the world of cinema, movie stars and more. In this episode, the duo jumps into favorite flicks, award-winning performers and the importance of innovation, with a bit of baking...

Brandon Steiner, founder of CollectibleXchange and The Steiner Agency, joins AB Mauri North America Vice President of Marketing Rick Oleshak for this episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about the incredible landscape of baking, sports and so much more. In this episode, the duo dives deep into the everything bagel, women’s hoops, sports memorabilia, the Big Apple, the beginnings of today’s sports b...

Josh Allen, founder of St. Louis-based Companion Baking, joins AB Mauri North America’s Rick Oleshak for this episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about the wonderful world of craft baking. In this program, the duo discusses sustainable baking, frozen products, to-go food orders, today’s bakery customers, podcasts and much, much more. Take a listen wherever you are – after a swim, while reviewing p...

Acclaimed bakery executive and recent winner of Baking & Snack’s 2023 Operations Executive of the Year, Kevin Stevens, joins AB Mauri marketing head Rick Oleshak for this episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about the enlightening world of industrial baking. In this episode, the duo discusses the state of baking, motocross racing, equestrian sports, the importance of business relationships and much...

Alastair Brogan, the chieftain of Boulder Spirits and Vapor Distillery in Colorado, joins AB Mauri North America VP of Marketing Rick Oleshak on the latest episode of ‘The Oven Light’ podcast. In this edition, the duo talks about Top Gun, the Royal Air Force, drinking whiskey with friends – with ice, Scotch eggs, Pinnacle Distillers Yeast, the iconic Red Rocks concert venue and much more. Whether...

Jim Morris, a former major league pitcher and inspiration for the Disney film, ‘The Rookie’, visits with AB Mauri North America VP of Marketing Rick Oleshak on ‘The Oven Light’ podcast. In this episode, the tandem discusses teamwork, making dreams come true, professional baseball, whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich and much, much more. Wherever you are listening – on a run or on the run – it’s...

Crown Bakeries CEO and esteemed baking industry leader Cordia Harrington joins AB Mauri North America VP of Marketing Rick Oleshak for this new episode of ‘The Oven Light’. In this episode, the duo tackles the future of baking, quick service restaurants, universities in the southeast, travel in Japan, U.S. real estate and much, much more. Wherever you are, take a listen – on the commute, in the of...

Haas Hops Midwest Key Account Manager & former Yakima, Washington mayor Micah Cawley joins AB Mauri North America VP of Marketing Rick Oleshak for this episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk brewing. In Episode #25, the combo discusses the beer industry, current fashion and fast cars, being one of the youngest mayors in the United States & more. Take a listen wherever you are – on the road, in the of...

New American Bakers Association President & CEO Eric Dell joins AB Mauri marketing head Rick Oleshak for this episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk hardcore baking. In Episode #24, the duo discusses the state of the union for baking, the convenience and vending industries, top spots for hanging out on a football game weekend in Columbia, South Carolina & more. Take a listen wherever you are – from t...

St. Louis Sports Commission chief advisory officer, Frank Viverito, joins ABMNA vice president of marketing, Rick Oleshak, for this episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about how sports and baking intersect…trust us, they really do! Viv goes long (a football reference) into baking during the pandemic, the importance of sportsmanship in athletics and even circus highwire acts on Episode #23. Take a...

Long-time AB Mauri and AB Biotek senior vice president, Greg Strauss, joins ABMNA vice president of marketing, Rick Oleshak, on this exciting episode of ‘The Oven Light’ to talk about the wonderful world of yeast…outside of baking. Greg goes deep into the consumer alcohol space, his background at Coca-Cola, inspiration from past business leaders, music & more on Episode #22. Have a listen wherever...