PR Newswire·Mar 30, 2026, 9:00 AM ET

FLOWERS FOODS ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER TERRY THOMAS

Flowers Foods announced that Chief Growth Officer Terry Thomas will step down and his role will be dissolved as of March 30, 2026.
The Chief Growth Officer position was created in 2023 to build new competencies, which the company states are now established \& integrated into the ongoing business structure.
Terry Thomas will remain employed while transitioning his responsibilities to other senior leaders.
Mark Courtney, Chief Brand Officer, will now report directly to Chairman \& CEO Ryals McMullian following the role dissolution.
Courtney, a 43-year company veteran serving since 2020, will assume responsibility for retail customer sales, innovation, \& revenue management in addition to his existing brand portfolio duties.
Flowers' brand portfolio managed by Courtney includes Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, Canyon Bakehouse, Wonder Bread, Tastykake, \& Mrs. Freshley's.
This organizational change complements recent operational shifts led by President \& COO Heeth Varnedoe, including the appointment of David Roach as Chief DSD Operations Officer \& the creation of a geographic P\&L division structure.
Flowers Foods, headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., reported 2025 sales of $5.3 billion \& is one of the largest producers of packaged bakery foods in the U.S.