THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) announced today that consistent with the company's management succession plan established by the board of directors five years ago, George E. Deese, age 68, will retire as executive chairman of the board at the end of 2014. Deese will become non-executive chairman of the board and will continue to be involved in the strategic direction of the company. The announcement came following a board meeting earlier today.