THOMASVILLE, GA. — Tonja Taylor has been named senior vice-president of human resources at Flowers Foods, Inc. Ms. Taylor had been vice-president of human resources at Flowers’ corporate headquarters since 2008. She succeeds Donald A. Thriffiley Jr., who after 36 years with Flowers Foods, is retiring effective March 29.

Ms. Taylor’s promotion is part of Flowers’ senior leadership succession plan, and in her new role she will head up the company’s human resources function and direct H.R. efforts at the corporate and subsidiary level.

She began her career with Flowers in 1999 as change management coordinator for a key information technology initiative. In 2000, she joined Flowers’ corporate human resources team and has been manager of organizational development, director of organizational development, and managing director of human resources. In 2008, she was promoted to vice-president of human resources. She received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga.

“For the past 14 years, Tonja has played a significant role in developing and implementing successful H.R. programs across Flowers Foods,” said Gene Lord, executive vice-president and chief operating officer. “This promotion recognizes her many contributions to Flowers and reflects our confidence in her knowledge and experience in human resources and in her leadership ability.”

For Mr. Thriffiley, retirement will mean stepping away from a company he joined in 1977 as personnel and office manager for the company’s New Orleans bakery. In 1989, he joined Flowers’ corporate H.R. team in Thomasville. He was named director of human resources in 1997 and vice-president of human resources in 2002. In 2008, he was promoted to senior vice-president of human resources. Mr. Thriffiley will continue to serve Flowers in an advisory capacity until his retirement date.

 

 

“Don’s career with Flowers spans nearly four decades, and he has been instrumental in moving all aspects of our human resources efforts forward — from a new payroll system to leadership and employee development to compensation and benefits,” Mr. Lord said. “We are grateful for his many contributions to our company and wish him well in his retirement.”