Flowers Foods Makes Exec Promotions; Ramps Up with New Structure

Food & Beverage Close-Up,  May 22, 2008  

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FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLOSE-UP-22 May 2008-Flowers Foods Makes Exec Promotions; Ramps Up with New Structure(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

Flowers Foods, a bakery foods companies, announced several key management appointments as well as a realignment of its operating structure for future growth.

The following promotions, which are effective immediately, were announced:

- Gene D. Lord named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Flowers Foods

- Allen L. Shiver named executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Flowers Foods

- Bradley K. Alexander named president of Flowers Bakeries

Lord began his career with Flowers in 1966 and was successively promoted to levels of greater responsibility within in the company, including bakery president and regional vice president. In 2002, he was named president and chief operating officer of the company's Bakeries Group, which represents 80 percent of company sales. With the current appointment, Lord will assume responsibility for all company operations as well as the supply chain, human resources, and information technology support teams.

Shiver became a full time employee at Flowers in 1979 after working part time during high school and college. He has held a variety of executive positions for the company, including vice president of marketing, regional vice president, and executive vice president of Flowers Bakeries. In 2003, Shiver was named president and chief operating officer of the Specialty Group. In his new position, Shiver will oversee the national sales team and provide strategic direction for marketing, product innovation, and category management/consumer insights.

Alexander began his career with Flowers in 1981. He has held various positions in sales, operations and marketing, including bakery president and senior vice president of sales and marketing for Flowers Bakeries. In 2003, Alexander was named regional vice president. As president of Flowers Bakeries, Alexander will oversee all the company's operations, including fresh breads and rolls, frozen breads and rolls, and snack cake bakeries.

Other Executive Vice President Appointments

Other members of the top executive team also have been appointed to the executive vice president level, including:

- R. Steve Kinsey, executive vice president and chief financial officer- Stephen R. Avera, executive vice president, secretary and general counsel- Michael A. Beaty, executive vice president of supply chain- Marta Jones Turner, executive vice president of corporate relations

Senior Vice President Appointments

The following individuals have been appointed to the senior vice president level:

- Karyl H. Lauder, senior vice president and chief accounting officer- Donald A. Thriffiley, Jr., senior vice president of human resources- Vyto F. Razminas, senior vice president and chief information officer

George E. Deese, Flowers Foods' chairman, chief executive officer, and president, said, "These management changes position Flowers Foods for future growth and are in line with our long term leadership development strategy and management succession plan. Gene, Allen, Brad and other members of our top team are proven leaders for our company and they helped develop the operating strategies that have delivered the competitive advantages our company enjoys today. We have delivered exceptional results in each of the past five years, and I believe this is the right team to deliver this type of performance going forward.

"Aligning all sales and operations under Flowers Bakeries also helps position the company for future growth. We are realigning operations to provide greater support for our direct-store-delivery regions and warehouse delivery businesses, which will allow our team to better manage anticipated growth. As we expand our geographic footprint through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the realigned operating and key management structure will help maximize profitability."

Deese said that public reporting of segment data is expected to remain the same under the realigned operating structure. The company will report results for its direct-store-delivery (previously reported as Bakeries Group) and warehouse delivery businesses (previously reported as Specialty Group).

Deese said, "Our team remains focused on delivering good results and on further refining our strategies to maintain our advantage in the marketplace as we work to create and preserve value for our shareholders."

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