Flowers Foods has named Allen L. Shiver president and chief executive officer effective May 22, 2013.
Shiver, who currently serves as president, was elected by the board of directors on Feb. 15. George E. Deese, the current chairman of the board and CEO, was elected executive chairman of the board effective the same date.
During his 33-year career with Flowers, Shiver has been promoted to increasing levels of responsibility in sales, marketing, and operations. Since being named president in 2010, he has provided operational oversight, been involved in strategic growth initiatives, and given guidance to the company’s national sales and marketing efforts. Shiver is an American Bakers Association (ABA) board member, and previously served as ABA’s chairman of the board. He also is a past co-chair of the Grain Foods Foundation Board of Trustees, and currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council and Industry Affairs Council of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Deese’s career with Flowers spans 48 years. Starting as route salesperson in Alabama, he was promoted to increasingly senior-level positions. From 1983 until 2002, Deese was president and chief operating officer of Flowers Bakeries, the company’s fresh baked foods business. He was elected president and chief operating officer of Flowers Foods in 2002, CEO in 2004, and chairman in 2006. Deese also served as an industry leader, acting as chairman of ABA, and holding various leadership roles with GMA. He currently serves as a member of the board for Georgia Research Alliance and as a member of the Mayo Jacksonville Leadership Council.
“This is a time of exciting opportunities for Flowers Foods, and the board and I are confident in Allen’s continued leadership as our team integrates recent acquisitions and focuses on growing sales and earnings,” Deese said in a statement. “My role as executive chairman is to ensure that our strategic direction is sound and that Flowers’ culture—what defines our team as unique in our industry—remains strong so we can continue to build value for our shareholders.”