Ronald grew up in the family retail bakery in St. Louis, Missouri as a fourth-generation baker.  His great grandfather, Christof Heinrich (Henry) Binder started the family in baking in St. Louis during the late 1800’s.  Ron’s parents (Harold and Lillian) learned the business from great Uncle Otto Binder.  Zelch Bakery started in 1947, a year before Ron was born.

Ron attended Kansas State University and received a BS degree in Bakery Science and Management.  It was there he met Jan Gaines and married in 1972.  They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.  Their oldest, Chris, is a fifth-generation baker following Ron’s legacy.

Upon graduating college Ron worked for Swift Edible Oils.  A couple of years later he went back to the family business, Zelch Bakery in St. Louis.  In 1979 he was offered the opportunity to become the ‘Bread and Rolls Production’ instructor at the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, Kansas.  He held that position for the next 12 years before becoming the Director of Cake and Sweet Goods Production for another 12 years.  During that time, he received the Louis Gardner Award for employee excellence.  Zelch received his CMB (Certified Master Baker) Certificate through the Retail Bakers of America in 1999.  Ron was a commercial baking judge for SkillsUSA for many years at national competitions.

Ron consulted for US Wheat Associates which afforded him many opportunities to teach and learn in countries all over the world. Over his 24-year career as an AIB instructor, Ron has taught over 2,900 students in the resident course along with thousands more in the Allied, Career Path and Specialized Baking Seminars.

In 2003 Ron joined the American Ingredients Co./Caravan Ingredients/Corbion in Kansas City, Missouri as Director of Technical Information.  Responsibilities over the next 13 years included technical and product training for customers and employees, retiring in 2016 as Product Knowledge and Training Manager.

Ron has spent his whole life connected to the Baking Industry and feels blessed to have known and worked with so many knowledgeable and dedicated people in the Baking, Milling and Allied Trades industries.