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A. Ryals McMullian is president and chief executive officer of Flowers Foods, elected in May 2019, after serving a year as chief operating officer and the previous year as chief strategy officer.

As CEO, Mr. McMullian continues to drive an effort he has spearheaded since late 2016 to increase shareholder value by focusing on brand growth, managing costs, expanding into product adjacencies through smart mergers and acquisitions, and developing talent and leading capabilities. A recent example of the strategy to expand into product adjacencies was the December 2018 acquisition of Canyon Bakehouse, the fastest growing gluten-free bread brand in the United States. Canyon is expected to contribute $70 to $80 million in revenue in 2019.

Efforts led by Mr. McMullian to standardize and centralize corporate processes ranging from organizational realignment, to indirect spend, to supply-chain optimization have achieved more than $80 million in gross savings since 2016, with additional savings and efficiencies expected to be realized by additional initiatives that are currently underway.

Mr. McMullian has held several key leadership positions over his 16-year career at Flowers Foods, including vice president of mergers and acquisitions and deputy general counsel from 2015 to 2017, and vice president and associate general counsel from 2011 until 2015. He joined the company in 2003 as associate general counsel. He holds a master’s degree in business administration, a juris doctor, and a bachelor’s degree in finance and real estate from Florida State University. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Florida Tax Watch.