Coca-Cola Consolidates Leadership Appointments to Support New Operating Structure

The Coca-Cola Co.  announced a number of leadership appointments to support the company's new global operating structure. The changes complete the company's senior leadership roster in support of the previously announced news that Ahmet Bozer, Steve Cahillane and Irial Finan will lead the company's three operating businesses – Coca-Cola International, Coca-Cola Americas and Bottling Investments Group (BIG), respectively. The changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.

The new structure will consolidate leadership of global operations under the Bottling Investments Group and two large, but similar sized geographic regions to streamline reporting lines, intensify focus on key markets and create a structure that leverages synergies and provides flexibility to adjust the business within these geographies in the future.

With the changes, The Coca-Cola Co.'s three operating businesses reporting to Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent will be structured as follows:

COCA-COLA AMERICAS

Coca-Cola Americas will include the company's North America and Latin America Groups, reporting to Cahillane.

North America Group

The company will complete the formation of a unified North America structure designed to leverage world-class brand marketing capabilities with best-in-class supply chain and customer service capabilities. The new structure will fully position the company's U.S. and Canada business to operate as an aligned and agile unit to best serve bottlers, customers and consumers in its flagship market.

• J. Alexander "Sandy" Douglas Jr., currently president of Coca-Cola North America, will be appointed global chief customer 0fficer, reporting to Kent. Douglas will leverage his strong customer relationships around the world to ensure Coca-Cola is known globally as an organization that delivers world-class value and service to its customers. He will also continue to lead the North America franchise strategy.
• Katie Bayne, currently president, North America Sparkling Beverages, will become president, North America Brands. She will be responsible for strategic marketing, sparkling beverages, glacéau, Minute Maid juices, coffee, tea and water, diversity business development and Latin Affairs in the U.S. The Canada Business Unit, led by Nicola Kettlitz, will also report to Bayne.
• Brian Kelley, currently chief product supply officer for Coca-Cola Refreshments, will be appointed president and chief operating officer, Coca-Cola Refreshments, where he will have responsibility for all foodservice, regional sales, product supply, customer care, customer retail and commercial operations in the U.S. Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada, led by John Guarino, will also report to Brian.
• Cahillane's North America direct reports will also include Ben Garren, Legal; Nancy Hunter, executive assistant; Carolyn Jackson, human resources, Robert Long, quality & technical; Sonya Soutus, public affairs & communications; Duane Still, finance; Deryck van Rensburg, venturing and emerging brands, and; Brian Wynne, strategy and business transformation.

Latin America Group

• Jose Octavio "Pacho" Reyes, currently president of the Latin America Group, will be appointed vice chairman, The Coca-Cola Export Corporation. Reyes, who plans to retire from the company on March 1, 2014, will report to Kent and serve as a mentor for system leaders around the globe. He will also lead certain efforts to implement key 2020 Vision initiatives and help ensure seamless leadership transition around the world.
• Brian Smith, currently president of the Mexico Business Unit, will be appointed president of the Latin America Group, succeeding Reyes and reporting to Cahillane.
• Business Unit presidents reporting to Smith will include:
• Francisco Crespo, currently president, South Latin, who will succeed Smith as president, Mexico;
• John Murphy, currently president, Latin center, who will replace Crespo as president, South Latin;
• Alfredo Rivera, currently general manager, Sparkling Beverages for Mexico, who will replace Murphy as president, Latin center;
• Xiemar Zarazua, who will continue as president, Brazil Business Unit.