Retail Bakers of America

RICK BITTNER
Executive Director
E-mail: rbittner@rbanet.com
Telephone: (703) 610-0272

Rick is from Lake Geneva, Wis. and is the third generation in the baking industry. After 15 years as a "hands on" bakery owner, he sold the business and joined BakeMark USA. Rick is recently retired after 18 years as a Regional General Manager directly responsible for BakeMark's Milwaukee/Chicago branch and oversight of the Cincinnati branch. He holds an undergraduate degree in Finance and a Master's in Management.

ALEKSANDRA SYSKA
Associate Executive Director
E-mail: asyska@rbanet.com
Telephone: (703) 610-0241

Aleksandra is from Sterling, Va. Her late grandparents owned The Plaza Bakery in Arlington, Va. and were members of the Retail Baker of America in the 1980s. She holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism, Mass Communication and Business Marketing.

PAUL SAPIENZA
Vice President of Operations
E-mail: psapienza@rbanet.com
Telephone: (703) 610-0269

Paul is from Elmont, N.Y. and is the second generation in the baking industry. In 1973 he took over a retail bakery from his parents, which also had a wholesale division manufacturing Italian pastries. The retail store is managed by his wife, Roseanne, and son, Andrew. In 2007, Paul merged the wholesale business with the Brooklyn Cannoli Company which continues to manufacture under the Sapienza Pastry label. Paul also served as past president of the New York State Association of Manufacturing Retail Bakers. He holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting.

LYNN SCHURMAN, CD
Show Program Coordinator
E-mail: lynnschu@aol.com
Telephone: (320) 685-8681

Lynn is from Cold Spring, Minn. She is a past president of the Retail Bakers of America, having served in 2008-2009, and the co-owner of Cold Spring Bakery. She has also served on the Board of the Directors of the national RBA, the Upper Midwest Bakers Association, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Cold Spring Hometown Pride Festival Committee. She also serves on the Rocori School Board where she has served as chairman for 10 years. Lynn works with speakers for RBA's convention program and organizes the Creative Decorating Competition.

HOWARD COOK
Association Administrator
E-mail: hcook@rbanet.com
Telephone: (703) 610-0230 
 
Howard is from Arlington, Va. He has a strong background in local and state governmental development and management and has worked over 20 years for various national, state and local associations and government municipalities. With his acquired skills in team-building, program management and member services, he is a great asset to Retail Bakers of America. Howard holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and assists his family with development of various catering venues.

AMY CANNON 
Administrative Assistant
E-mail: acannon@rbanet.com
Telephone: (703) 245-8061

Amy is from Reston, Va. In addition to her work with RBA, Amy serves as Secretary of the Reston Mom's Club and was the scheduler for her husband's campaign for Virginia House of Delegates. She is also Secretary of the Republican Club of Greater Reston. She has spent time working with Edibles Incredible Desserts in Reston, Va. and learned about the baking industry. Amy spends her free time volunteering and being with her three, young children.