Flowers Foods, Inc. announced on November 4, 2026 that its board of directors elected Shaun P. Mara and Ken Plunk as independent directors, effective November 18, 2026, expanding the board to 10 members.

Key Highlights

  • Two new independent directors: Shaun P. Mara and Ken Plunk were elected to the Flowers Foods board, effective November 18, 2026.
  • Board size increases: With the two additions, the board will grow from its prior size to 10 members, according to the announcement.
  • Committee assignments: Both Mara and Plunk were appointed to serve on the audit and finance committees.
  • Mara's background: Mara retired in June 2025 as chief financial officer of The Simply Good Foods Company and previously held CFO roles at Dean Foods, Teasdale Latin Foods, and Roofing Supply Group.
  • Plunk's background: Plunk previously served as chief financial officer and senior vice president of information technology at J&J Snack Foods and currently serves on the boards of WD-40 Company and Milo's Tea Company.
  • Company scale: Flowers Foods reported 2025 sales of $5.3 billion, according to the filing.

Flowers Foods Adds Two CFO Veterans to Its Board of Directors

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO), headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia, disclosed on November 4, 2026 that its board of directors had elected Shaun P. Mara and Ken Plunk as independent directors. Their appointments take effect November 18, 2026, and the company said both individuals will serve on the audit and finance committees. The elections bring the total board membership to 10, the company disclosed.

Mara is described in the filing as "an experienced financial executive and strategic adviser with more than three decades of consumer products experience." He retired in June 2025 as chief financial officer of The Simply Good Foods Company and previously held CFO roles at Dean Foods, Teasdale Latin Foods, and Roofing Supply Group, as well as senior financial leadership positions at William Wrigley Jr. Company and Gillette. He previously served on the board of Farmer Bros. Co. and chaired its audit committee.

Plunk is characterized in the filing as "an accomplished public company chief financial officer with broad experience across consumer packaged goods, retail, manufacturing, and international operations." He held the role of CFO and senior vice president of information technology at J&J Snack Foods. Earlier in his career, he held senior finance and audit leadership roles at Walmart and worked at The Coca-Cola Company and The Home Depot. He currently serves on the boards of WD-40 Company and Milo's Tea Company, with committee responsibilities described as spanning audit, finance, risk, and governance. Chairman and CEO Ryals McMullian stated in the filing that the two new directors bring "extensive leadership experience" and "broad financial and transformation experience."

What Was Disclosed

Flowers Foods disclosed the election of two independent directors, Shaun P. Mara and Ken Plunk, to its board effective November 18, 2026. Both were assigned to the audit and finance committees, bringing total board membership to 10.