Flowers Foods announces Michelle Lorge as President of Simple Mills
The move is part of Flowers Foods‘ strategy to integrate and scale Simple Mills within its broader portfolio while preserving the brand’s mission-driven identity.
USA – Flowers Foods, Inc., one of the largest producers of packaged bakery foods in the United States, has appointed Michelle Lorge as President of its Simple Mills brand, effective March 2, 2026.
This leadership transition sees Lorge, an 11-year veteran of Simple Mills, succeed founder and former CEO Katlin Smith, who is stepping down for personal reasons to focus on family and philanthropy while remaining in an advisory role.
Lorge will report directly to Ryals McMullian, Chairman and CEO of Flowers Foods, which reported US$5.3 billion in net sales for 2025.
Simple Mills, acquired by Flowers Foods in 2025, has grown from a startup into a prominent clean-label brand offering almond-flour crackers, cookies, bars, and baking mixes made with nutrient-dense ingredients such as seeds, nuts, and greens.
Distributed in over 30,000 stores nationwide, the brand emphasizes real food free from added sugars, grains, and artificial additives, aligning with consumer demand for healthier snacking options.
Lorge’s promotion recognizes her pivotal role in this expansion; as Chief Marketing, Innovation, and Mission Officer, she spearheaded product development, built a purpose-driven marketing team, and championed wellness and sustainability initiatives that elevated industry standards.
Most recently she served as chief marketing, innovation, and mission officer, where she led product innovation, built a purpose-driven marketing organization, and advanced wellness and sustainability initiatives that have helped redefine industry standards.
Lorge joined Simple Mills in 2015 as one of the brand’s first employees. Before joining Simple Mills, Lorge spent more than a decade at Kraft Foods, where she led brand marketing and product innovation for Philadelphia, A.1., Grey Poupon, and Cool Whip.
Ryals McMullian praised Lorge’s deep business insight and leadership.
“Michelle has been instrumental in shaping Simple Mills into the mission-driven, high-growth brand it is today,” said McMullian.
“Her deep understanding of the business, strong leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to the company’s purpose make her exceptionally well-suited to lead Simple Mills into its next chapter.”
Smith founded Simple Mills in 2012 after recognizing the transformative power of food in improving overall well-being.
Under her leadership, the company grew into a category-leading brand sold in major retailers, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Walmart, and Costco, alongside a strong e-commerce presence on Amazon.
This move enhances Flowers Foods’ strategy to invest in high-growth, better-for-you snacks amid shifting consumer preferences toward clean, sustainable products.
With Smith’s advisory input ensuring continuity, Lorge’s commercial expertise is expected to drive further market penetration, Research & Development advancements, and category leadership in the competitive natural foods sector.
Stakeholders view the transition as seamless, fortifying Flowers’ position in the US$5.3 billion snacking transformation.
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