Lawrence Foods chairman Lester Lawrence has announced that company directors have unanimously voted to appoint Cecil Gregory as the new chief executive officer, the position held by Lawrence since 1982.

"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,” he said. “Cecil is ably assisted by corporate officers, including COO 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. LFI serves a broad customer base, from supermarket bakeries through CPG 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. The company is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL.