Flowers Foods Announces Changes to Corporate Legal and Shareholder Relations Staff

THOMASVILLE, Ga., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO) has promoted several members of its corporate legal and shareholder relations team at its headquarters in Thomasville.

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Stephanie B. Tillman has been named vice president of compliance and assistant general counsel; A. Ryals McMullian, Jr., vice president and associate general counsel; Holland C. Kirbo, associate general counsel; and Lisa R. Hay, manager of shareholder relations.

"These changes are an acknowledgement of the valuable contributions these individuals make daily to the success of our company," noted Stephen R. Avera, executive vice president, secretary, and general counsel of Flowers Foods. "We're fortunate to have a well-rounded team that has a wealth of experience, commitment, and ability to help the company navigate through an increasingly complicated business environment."

Stephanie Tillman will continue to be responsible for the company's corporate compliance programs, an area that has become increasingly important for publicly held companies. She will continue to provide general legal counsel, especially on employee and independent distributor matters.

Tillman joined Flowers Foods in 1995 as a corporate attorney. She was promoted to associate counsel in 1998, associate general counsel in 1999, and vice president and associate general counsel in 2003.

Tillman holds a bachelor's degree in education and a juris doctor degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. She also holds a master's in business administration from Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga. Tillman is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Ryals McMullian will continue to focus on mergers and acquisitions, and provide advice on securities law. He joined Flowers in 2003 as associate general counsel from the Atlanta office of the Jones Day law firm.

McMullian holds a bachelor's degree in finance and real estate, a master's in business administration, and a juris doctor degree, all from Florida State University in Tallahassee. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.  

Holly Kirbo will continue her responsibilities in employment, contracts, and trademark law. She joined Flowers Foods in 2003 from the law firm of Moore, Clarke, DuVall and Rodgers in Albany, Ga. Prior to that, she was a law clerk for the Honorable J. Owen Forrester of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.

Kirbo holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a juris doctor degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Lisa Hay will continue to oversee all aspects of individual shareholder relations for Flowers Foods. This includes the company's proxy statement, monitoring both individual and institutional voting during proxy season, and coordinating filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. She also will continue to provide assistance to individual shareholders.

Hay joined Flowers Foods in 1988 as shareholder relations secretary after working in the banking and securities industries. She was promoted to shareholder relations specialist in 2001.

About Flowers Foods

Headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., Flowers Foods is one of the nation's leading producers and marketers of packaged bakery foods for retail and foodservice customers. Among the company's top brands are Nature's Own, Whitewheat, Cobblestone Mill, Blue Bird, and Mrs. Freshley's. Flowers operates 40 bakeries that are among the most efficient in the baking industry. Flowers Foods produces, markets, and distributes fresh bakery products that are delivered to customers daily through a direct-store-delivery system serving the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southwest as well as select markets in California and Nevada. The company also produces and distributes fresh snack cakes and frozen breads and rolls nationally through warehouse distribution. For more information, visit www.flowersfoods.com.

SOURCE Flowers Foods