May 22/FinancialWire -- Flowers Foods made several new management appointments. Gene Lord, Allen Shiver and Bradley Alexander were promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and president, respectively.

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% 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. 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, he 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.

From the May 27, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash