Gary Edwards’ Retirement: A Remarkable Journey

Gary Edwards, Senior VP & Special Advisor at Lallemand (formerly long-time President & General Manager of Lallemand Baking North America), will be retiring on February 7th. Since joining Lallemand in 1996, Gary has built a profound legacy in the baking industry.

Reflecting on his career, Gary highlights the evolution of the yeast industry: “The yeast industry has evolved dramatically since I began in January 1982 with Fleischmann’s (Standard Brands). Ownership has shifted from public corporations to private companies with deep industry roots. The bakery landscape has transformed from numerous small and regional bakers to a consolidated market dominated by larger companies. This shift, along with the transition from bags and blocks to truckload cream yeast significantly impacted distribution models.”

Gary’s career has been filled with many mentors, including his co-workers and his first mentor, his dad on the dairy farm. One piece of advice from his dad that Gary practiced throughout his career was, “never ask your guys to do something that you wouldn’t be willing to do yourself.”

Looking back, Gary acknowledges that there are always things one could have done better, but without the benefit of hindsight, he and his team did the best they could with the knowledge they had at the time.

After 28 years at Lallemand, Gary plans to return to the farm, spoil his grandchildren, and enjoy RVing.
Gary’s career at Lallemand was marked by resilience, innovation, and a profound commitment to the industry and his colleagues, inspiring all who had the privilege of working with him.