U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington, D.C. — Dr. Andrew Von Eschenbach has been nominated by President George W. Bush to lead the FDA. Von Eschenbach has served as acting FDA commissioner since Sept. 2005, while also serving as director of the National Cancer Institute.

Information Resources, Inc., Chicago — John Lawlor has been named division president and general manager of the Panel and Test Solutions business. Previously, Lawlor was president of Ipsos-ASI North America, part of the Ipsos Group, a survey research firm.

IRI also has hired former General Electric executive Stewart Jones as executive vice president of global operations.

The Hazelnut Growers of Oregon, Cornelus, Ore. — Compton Chase-Lansdale has been appointed president and CEO. He replaces Len Spesert, who recently retired. Previously, Chase-Lansdale held executive positions with the NutraSweet division of Monsanto, the Pantaleon S.A. sugar refining group of Guatemala and AVEBE of Holland, a large farmers’ cooperative and potato starch manufacturer.

ConAgra Foods, Omaha, Neb. — Al Bolles has been named executive vice president of research & development and quality. Previously, Bolls led worldwide research and development for PepsiCo Beverages and Foods. He also has worked for General Foods, Gerber Products and Tropicana.

MGP Ingredients, Atchison, Kan. — Tim Newkirk has been appointed to the newly created position of COO. Newkirk began his career with MGP in 1991 as a distillery shift manager. Most recently, he served as director of operations.

Takasago Intl., Rockleigh, N.J. — Jennifer Mei has been named senior scientist. Mei recently received her Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Minnesota. Takasago also has named Agness Koellner senior account manager. Previously, Koellner worked for Mane Inc., Givaudan Flavors and Nestle North America.

Caravan Products, Totowa, N.J. — David Fliss has been named national sales manager. Fliss joined Caravan in 1993 and has served as the company’s bagel product manager, sales manager for the Latin American division and Midwest sales manager. He replaces Ron Savelli, who has been named president of Caravan.

The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, Calabasas Hills, Calif. — Max Byfuglin has been appointed president of the Bakery Division. Byfuglin has been with The Cheesecake Factory for more than 20 years. Previously, he served as executive vice president of the Bakery Division, where he managed national sales and bakery operations.

Otis Spunkmeyer, San Leandro, Calif. — Doug Deeth has been hired as vice president of sales for the retail division. Previously, Deeth worked for Kodak and Continental Mills.

Flowers Foods, Thomasville, Ga. — Paul T. Frankum has been promoted to president of Derst Baking Co., the bakery recently acquired in Savannah, Ga.  He has served as president of Flowers’ bakery in Crossville, Tenn., since 2004. Frank H. Shipley has been named the new president of the Crossville facility. Meanwhile, Bobby L. Butler has been named vice president of operations for Flowers Bakery of Fort Smith, Ark., where Shipley previously served as manufacturing manager.