James G. Apple served as an officer in the U.S. Army following graduation in 1958 from Gettysburg College. In 1959 he resumed full-time duties at Butter-Krust Baking Company in Sunbury, PA., becoming President in 1983. During this period, he served as president of The Central Pennsylvania Bakers association and beginning in 1971, served as president of The Pennsylvania Bakers Association.

As president of one of America’s oldest and largest family-owned bakeries, Apple spearheaded Butter-Krust’s dynamic growth and expansion throughout the mid-Atlantic region over three decades. Under his leadership the bakery rose to national attention, earning recognition as America’s “Baker of the Year” four times. He was the driving force behind the firm’s investment in education through in-school programs such as “A Better You, A Better World”, and launched major environmental campaigns such as “Save America’s Streams”. In 2006 he directed the company’s entry into the Sara Lee family of premium American food brands, as Sara Lee Butter Krust.

Apple has remained a strategic influence in the baked goods industry, serving on the Board of Directors of The Long Company for 33 years (18 years as Chairman) and as Board member of the American Institute of Baking, as well as Chairman of The American Bakers Association. His executive vision has also been instrumental in helping to guide numerous other organizations at the board level in industries ranging from banking and telecommunications to health care and higher education.