American Italian Pasta Company's board of directors named George D. Shadid as its executive vice president and chief financial officer, and also announced the creation of a new executive vice president position, effective immediately.

Shadid was formerly a senior executive with Applebee's International Inc., serving most recently as its chief operating officer and previously was the company's chief financial officer for 10 years. Shadid was also the chief financial officer for Gilbert/Robinson Inc. and has nine years of public accounting experience.

Timothy Webster, president and chief executive officer of American Italian Pasta Company, said, "We are fortunate to have George Shadid join our team. He has been consulting with us for the past several months and has already attained a familiarity with our operations and financial systems. He has established an excellent working relationship with our management team and has been a key player in the development of our Restructuring and Rightsizing Program.

"George brings tremendous experience as both a former chief operating officer and chief financial officer of a major public company. He has proven experience in developing and implementing strategic and financial business plans for complex and multifaceted operations. He also has recognized success in balance sheet management, including reducing working capital needs and enhancing cash flow."

Warren Schmidgall, currently the company's chief financial officer, will assume the new role of executive vice president in charge of Corporate Development, Human Resources and Information Technology. In this role, Schmidgall will be responsible for management functions where the company has important strategic initiatives underway. In a related announcement, the company said that Doug Tapp has resigned as vice president of human resources to pursue another opportunity in Kansas City.

Webster commented, "Warren will be filling a role that is critical to our continued success, as he drives several key initiatives in developing our human and technological resources around our commitment to continue as the low cost producer in our industry."

Shadid stated, "I am very excited to be joining one of the finest food companies in America and the pasta industry leader. Through my consulting role with the company, I have found the management team to be an outstanding group of individuals, and I am anxious to continue to work with them in developing and implementing the new operating platform for the future profitable growth of AIPC."

Schmidgall said, "I am excited about the challenges and opportunities my new role will provide. George is a great addition to our team, and the working relationship we have already established will make the transition go very smoothly."