---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-23-216740"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FLO"
cik: "0001128928"
company_name: "FLOWERS FOODS INC"
filed_at: "2023-08-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-11T05:58:56.727733+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Flowers Foods appoints Varnedoe as President & COO, Thomas as Chief Growth Officer, adds two directors

## Summary
- Heeth Varnedoe promoted to President & COO, effective Sept 1, 2023; base salary raised to $700,000.
- Terry Thomas resigns from board to become Chief Growth Officer (new role) effective Sept 1, 2023.
- Board expands to 12 with election of Brigitte King (Colgate-Palmolive) and Joanne Smith (Delta Air Lines) as independent directors starting Oct 1.
- Board approved amended bylaws including exclusive forum provisions and updated advance notice requirements.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-23-216740
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FLO
- cik: 0001128928
- company_name: FLOWERS FOODS INC
- filed_at: 2023-08-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/d510159d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-216740
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-216740.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-216740.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Heeth Varnedoe was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer at FLOWERS FOODS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Operating Officer
  source text: appointed Heeth Varnedoe, the current chief operating officer of the Company, to serve as president and chief operating officer, effective September 1, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm
- Executive change
  Brigitte King was elected as Director at FLOWERS FOODS INC.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board elected Brigitte King and Joanne Smith as directors, effective October 1, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm
- Executive change
  Joanne Smith was elected as Director at FLOWERS FOODS INC.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board elected Brigitte King and Joanne Smith as directors, effective October 1, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm
- Executive change
  Terry S. Thomas resigned as Director at FLOWERS FOODS INC.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: Terry S. Thomas notified the Board of his decision to resign as a member of the Board, effective August 31, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm
- Executive change
  Terry S. Thomas was appointed as Chief Growth Officer at FLOWERS FOODS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Growth Officer
  source text: Mr. Thomas’ decision to resign from the Board was made in connection with his appointment as Chief Growth Officer of the Company, effective September 1, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm
- Governance Changes
  FLOWERS FOODS INC: Amended and Restated Bylaws effective August 18, 2023, including changes to shareholder meeting procedures, advance notice provisions, universal proxy rules, proxy card color, candidate interviews, and exclusive forum provisions (effective 2023-08-18).
  - Change: bylaw amendment
  - Effective: 2023-08-18
  source text: On August 18, 2023, the Board approved the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Flowers Foods, Inc., effective as of such date (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1128928/000119312523216740/0001193125-23-216740-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.