Flowers Foods Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Flowers Foods has 6 executives leading key functions including finance, human resources, operations, and bakery management.

Driven by a commitment to quality, Flowers Foods produces and markets a wide array of packaged bakery food products, impacting retail and foodservice sectors across the United States with its diverse brand portfolio.

Leadership Roles at Flowers Foods

  • Chief Financial Officer - D. Scaglione
  • Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP - Gene Lord
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Heeth Varnedoe
  • President, Flowers Bakery of (SAN Antonio) - Joe Richter
  • Plant President - Larry Brewer
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Cindy Cox
  • D. Scaglione - Chief Financial Officer

    D. Scaglione, the Chief Financial Officer at Flowers Foods, directs all financial operations and strategic fiscal planning. Overseeing treasury, accounting, and investor relations, Scaglione ensures robust financial health and compliance across the organization. This leadership role involves managing capital allocation, optimizing profitability, and driving sustainable revenue growth through meticulous financial oversight. By analyzing market trends and economic indicators, D. Scaglione guides investment strategies and risk management protocols, directly impacting the company's long-term financial stability and market competitiveness. The Chief Financial Officer's purview extends to budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring the efficient deployment of resources to support Flowers Foods' extensive production and distribution network, safeguarding shareholder value through prudent financial stewardship.
    D. Scaglione

    Gene Lord - Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP

    Gene Lord, the Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP at Flowers Foods, drives operational excellence across the company's extensive manufacturing and distribution network. Overseeing day-to-day operations, Lord ensures efficiency, quality, and timely delivery of all packaged bakery products. This leadership position involves optimizing production processes, managing supply chain logistics, and implementing best practices to enhance operational performance. By focusing on continuous improvement, Gene Lord directly contributes to maintaining the high standards associated with brands like Wonder and Tastykake. The Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP's strategic focus includes enhancing plant productivity, managing operational budgets, and ensuring seamless integration of new technologies to support Flowers Foods' market presence. Lord's oversight is crucial for meeting consumer demand across diverse retail and foodservice channels.

    Heeth Varnedoe - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Heeth Varnedoe, the President & Chief Operating Officer at Flowers Foods, spearheads the company's overall operational strategy and execution. Overseeing all aspects of production, distribution, and sales, Varnedoe ensures seamless integration across business units to meet market demands. This executive position involves driving innovation in product development and operational efficiency, aligning corporate goals with market realities. By focusing on strategic growth initiatives, Heeth Varnedoe directly impacts the company's market share and profitability. The President & Chief Operating Officer's responsibilities encompass managing key performance indicators, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality bakery products nationwide. Varnedoe's leadership is central to maintaining Flowers Foods' competitive edge in the dynamic food manufacturing industry.

    Joe Richter - President, Flowers Bakery of (SAN Antonio)

    Joe Richter, the President, Flowers Bakery of (SAN Antonio) at Flowers Foods, directs the strategic operations and market performance of the San Antonio bakery division. Overseeing all aspects of production, sales, and distribution within this key region, Richter ensures alignment with Flowers Foods' broader corporate objectives. This leadership role involves optimizing local manufacturing processes, managing regional sales teams, and fostering strong relationships with wholesale distributors and retail partners in the San Antonio market. By focusing on regional growth and operational efficiency, Joe Richter directly contributes to the success of Flowers Foods' brands in Texas. The President, Flowers Bakery of (SAN Antonio)'s responsibilities include driving market penetration, managing local P&L, and ensuring product quality and availability to meet consumer needs across the designated service area.

    Larry Brewer - Plant President

    Larry Brewer, the Plant President at Flowers Foods, manages the operational efficiency and output of a specific bakery facility. Overseeing all plant-level activities, Brewer ensures adherence to stringent quality control standards and production schedules for a variety of packaged bakery goods. This role involves leading plant personnel, optimizing resource allocation, and implementing process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce waste. By focusing on operational excellence, Larry Brewer directly contributes to the consistent supply of Flowers Foods' products to regional markets. The Plant President's responsibilities include managing plant budgets, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and driving initiatives that support the company's overall manufacturing objectives. Brewer's leadership is vital for maintaining the integrity and volume of production at the facility.

    Cindy Cox - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Cindy Cox, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Flowers Foods, architects the company's talent management and organizational development strategies. Overseeing all human resources functions, Cox ensures a supportive and productive work environment across all bakeries and distribution centers. This critical role involves developing and implementing policies that foster employee engagement, promote diversity and inclusion, and drive professional growth. By aligning HR initiatives with Flowers Foods' business objectives, Cindy Cox cultivates a strong corporate culture and ensures the company attracts and retains top talent. The Chief Human Resources Officer's responsibilities include managing compensation and benefits, employee relations, and workforce planning, all vital to supporting the operational demands of producing and distributing a wide range of bakery products nationwide.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Flowers Foods Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Flowers Foods?
    Flowers Foods is led by D. Scaglione (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Gene Lord (Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP) and Heeth Varnedoe (President & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Flowers Foods’s executive team?
    The executive team of Flowers Foods includes leaders such as D. Scaglione (Chief Financial Officer), Gene Lord (Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP), Heeth Varnedoe (President & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Flowers Foods have?
    Flowers Foods has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Flowers Foods’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Flowers Foods includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer & Senior VP, President & Chief Operating Officer, President, Flowers Bakery of (SAN Antonio), Plant President.