In a strategic move that signals their continued commitment to oat innovation, Bay State Milling Company has appointed Jaime Goehner as Senior Vice President and General Manager of its Oat Milling Business Unit. The announcement, made on July 30, 2025, positions the 125-year-old family-owned company to further strengthen its leadership in specialty grain ingredients and nutritious food solutions.
Strategic Leadership for a Growing Segment
As consumer demand for oat-based products continues to surge across multiple food categories—from dairy alternatives to baked goods and beyond—Bay State Milling’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for both the company and the industry. Oats have emerged as a powerhouse grain, celebrated for their nutritional profile, sustainability credentials, and versatility in food applications.
Based in Minneapolis, Goehner brings nearly two decades of experience across the food and agricultural sectors. Her extensive background spans commercial operations, risk management, and agricultural supply chains, with specific expertise in soybeans, oilseeds, and specialty seeds and oils developed during her tenure at Cargill. Most recently, she led global business development for novel feedstocks at British Petroleum, giving her a unique perspective on emerging ingredients and sustainable sourcing.
“Bay State Milling is uniquely positioned to lead in the next chapter of oat-based innovation, with a focus on nutrition, traceability, and regenerative sourcing,” Goehner stated. “I’m excited to build on the strong foundation the team has established and to explore new ways to create value, from strengthening our identity-preserved supply chains to deepening customer partnerships.”
The Evolution of Oats in Modern Food Systems
The strategic importance of oats in Bay State Milling’s portfolio cannot be overstated. Once primarily associated with breakfast cereals, oats have undergone a renaissance in recent years. The explosion of oat milk alone—projected to reach a global market value of $8.2 billion by 2027—has catapulted this humble grain into the spotlight.
Beyond beverages, oats have become a cornerstone ingredient for manufacturers seeking to meet consumer demands for plant-based alternatives, clean-label products, and foods with functional benefits. Their naturally occurring beta-glucan fiber, complete protein profile, and sustainable growing practices make them increasingly valuable in a food system focused on both health and environmental impact.
For Bay State Milling, which operates 10 processing facilities across the United States and Canada, strengthening leadership in their oat division represents a logical extension of their century-long commitment to grain innovation. The company’s broad portfolio already includes traditional and gluten-free flours, grains, seeds, mixes, and custom blends, all designed to meet exacting specifications for food manufacturers and foodservice operators.
A Legacy of Innovation Meets Forward-Thinking Leadership
Pete Levangie, Bay State Milling’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: “I’m excited to work with Jaime and look forward to the experience and leadership she will bring to an ingredient portfolio of strategic importance for Bay State Milling.”
Goehner’s appointment continues the company’s tradition of thoughtful succession planning. She succeeds Kerry Keating and Walker Humphries, who will support her transition through the end of August, ensuring continuity in operations and customer relationships.
As a North Dakota native, Goehner brings a personal connection to agriculture along with her professional expertise. Her involvement with the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council and local food bank volunteer work demonstrates a commitment to community and sustainable food systems that aligns with Bay State Milling’s values.
The Growing Importance of Traceability and Regenerative Agriculture
Goehner’s stated focus on traceability and regenerative sourcing speaks to larger industry trends that are reshaping grain supply chains. Today’s consumers and food manufacturers increasingly demand transparency about where their ingredients come from and how they’re grown.
Regenerative agriculture—farming practices that focus on soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration—has gained significant traction in the grain industry. These practices not only benefit the environment but can also enhance the nutritional profile of crops and create more resilient agricultural systems.
For Bay State Milling, which has spent 125 years building relationships with farmers and food producers, this evolution toward regenerative practices represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Goehner’s background in identity-preserved supply chains positions her well to navigate this landscape, potentially developing new sourcing programs that deliver both premium quality and sustainable credentials.
Oat Innovation: The Next Frontier
Under Goehner’s leadership, Bay State Milling’s oat division is poised to explore several promising avenues for innovation:
- Specialized Oat Varieties: Developing and sourcing oat varieties with enhanced nutritional profiles, unique functional properties, or improved growing characteristics.
- Advanced Processing Technologies: Implementing new milling and processing techniques that preserve more of oats’ natural nutrition while improving their performance in various food applications.
- Sustainable Supply Chains: Building farmer partnerships focused on regenerative practices, potentially creating premium ingredients with documented environmental benefits.
- Application-Specific Solutions: Creating customized oat ingredients optimized for specific uses, from beverages to baked goods to plant-based meat alternatives.
These initiatives align with broader industry trends toward more specialized, nutrition-focused ingredients that can help food manufacturers meet evolving consumer preferences. As more companies reformulate products to reduce sugar, increase fiber, and eliminate artificial ingredients, versatile grains like oats become increasingly valuable.
The Competitive Landscape for Oat Ingredients
Bay State Milling’s investment in oat leadership comes amid growing competition in the specialty grain space. Major players like Grain Millers, Richardson International, and Morning Foods have all expanded their oat operations in recent years, while newer entrants focus on specialized niches within the category.
What distinguishes Bay State Milling in this competitive landscape is its combination of scale and specialization. As one of the largest family-owned millers in the United States, the company has the resources to invest in advanced technology and ingredient development. Yet its private ownership allows for a long-term perspective that prioritizes sustainable growth over quarterly returns.
This approach has served the company well through five generations of family leadership, enabling it to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its core commitment to quality and innovation.
The Future of Grain-Based Foods
The appointment of Jaime Goehner to lead Bay State Milling’s oat division comes at a time when grain-based foods are undergoing significant transformation. Beyond the plant-based movement, several trends are reshaping how consumers relate to grains:
- Functional Nutrition: Consumers increasingly seek foods that deliver specific health benefits, from improved digestion to enhanced cognitive function.
- Climate-Conscious Consumption: Environmental impact is becoming a purchase driver, with consumers favoring ingredients and brands that demonstrate carbon reduction.
- Personalized Nutrition: The growing understanding that different individuals respond differently to foods is driving interest in more diverse grain options.
- Heritage and Ancient Grains: Traditional varieties valued for their distinctive flavors and nutritional profiles continue to gain market share.
As these trends converge, companies like Bay State Milling that combine deep agricultural knowledge with food manufacturing expertise are uniquely positioned to develop solutions that meet both consumer expectations and manufacturer requirements.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Grain Innovation
With Jaime Goehner at the helm of its oat milling business, Bay State Milling continues its long tradition of adapting to meet changing market needs while staying true to its heritage of quality and innovation. Her appointment signals the company’s commitment to advancing both the nutritional value and sustainability credentials of its oat ingredients.
As the food industry continues to evolve, leadership that combines agricultural understanding with commercial vision becomes increasingly valuable. Bay State Milling’s investment in experienced management reflects a recognition that today’s consumers expect more from their food—more nutrition, more sustainability, and more transparency.
For food manufacturers navigating these complex demands, partners like Bay State Milling that can deliver both ingredient innovation and supply chain integrity will be essential. Under Goehner’s leadership, the company appears well-positioned to strengthen its role as a trusted provider of oat solutions for the modern food industry.
For more information about Bay State Milling Company and its product offerings, visit www.baystatemilling.com.
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Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
