ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILL. — The board of directors of Lawrence Foods has named Cecil Gregory as chief executive officer. He succeeds Lester Lawrence, who has held the position since 1982.

Cecil Gregory, new c.e.o. of Lawrence Foods

Mr. Gregory’s career began in 1982 with a wholesale bakery company, and then starting with Brill in 1987, continued through the CSM buyout in 2003. He remained as president until retiring in 2007, ultimately leaving the industry after a final year spent as a consultant for CSM in 2008.

In 2013, Mr. Gregory returned to the bakery ingredients industry, serving as chief sales officer for the Lawrence Foods team.

“We enthusiastically support this selection and feel fortunate to know that leadership has transitioned to someone preeminently qualified to guide Lawrence Foods through this period of rapid growth and dramatic market change,” Mr. Lawrence said. “Cecil is ably assisted by corporate officers, including c.o.o., Marc Lawrence. I am particularly pleased to note that this top leadership team strongly reflects the family values and business ethics brought to the company at its inception by my own father and grandfather.”

Lawrence Foods is a full line manufacturer of bakery ingredients. The company serves a broad customer base, from supermarket bakeries through consumer packaged goods industrial customers. Production capabilities include fruit fillings and toppings, icings and glazes, confectionery ingredients such as fondant and rolled fondant, dips and spreads, and dry mixes.