Flowers Foods has announced the following recent promotions in its Corporate Relations department.

Mary Krier now serves as senior vice president of communications and corporate responsibility. Krier is responsible for the company's communications, consumer relations, and strategic communications counsel at corporate and subsidiary levels. Krier joined Flowers in 1990 and was successively assigned increasing levels of responsibility, including manager, director, and vice president of communications. Prior to joining Flowers, she was a writer and editor for trade and consumer press in the Chicago area. Krier holds a bachelor's degree in English literature/writing from Rosary College of Dominican University in River Forest, Ill.

"Mary has a wealth of experience and expertise in all areas of corporate communications," said Marta Jones Turner, Flowers Foods' executive vice president of corporate relations. "I am confident she will provide insightful leadership and invaluable support as she takes on new responsibilities."

Chad Johnson is now vice president of distributor communications, with responsibility for independent distributor communications as well as communications support for distributor relations and sales staff. Johnson joined Flowers' Villa Rica, Ga. bakery as a sales associate in 1995, and held positions in information systems, human resources, and communications at Flowers' home office in Thomasville, including manager, director, and managing director. Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in speech communications from The University of Georgia.

"Chad's career at Flowers includes a variety of work experiences," said Jones Turner. "His communication skills, graphic design and technical abilities have allowed him to develop powerful and highly effective messaging skills and I know he will continue to contribute great things in his new role."