ATLANTA -- The Coca-Cola Co. named Julie Hamilton as its chief customer and commercial leadership officer, effective April 1, 2015.
She will report directly to chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent.
Hamilton will lead a worldwide organization responsible for growing sales and profits with more than 20 million customers who serve Coca-Cola beverages to 1.9 billion consumers a day in more than 200 countries. She will work closely with and support the company's global customer partners while building commercial strategies and customer capabilities across the global system.
Hamilton "brings a deep appreciation and understanding of our global customers and the strategies we must execute in the market every day to ensure that our customers, our bottling partners and our company all thrive and grow," Kent said. "This is a key role that requires exceptional leadership, and I know Julie will approach it with all of the passion, energy and commitment that she continuously demonstrates in everything she does."
The chief customer role was previously led by J. Alexander (Sandy) M. Douglas Jr., in addition to his position as president of Coca-Cola North America.
Hamilton is currently Kent's executive assistant, a role she has held since 2011. Prior to this role, she was president of the Global Wal-Mart Group, responsible for leading the company's relationship with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. around the world.
Hamilton joined Coca-Cola in 1996 and has held a variety of sales, marketing and operational positions including group vice president North America Wal-Mart team, vice president global customer development, group director for global on-premise customers, director of franchise sales and marketing-Northwest U.S. region, group manager for the worldwide marketing partnership with Blockbuster and brand development manager of still beverages.
The company also announced that Susan Gambardella will assume the role of executive assistant to Kent, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Hamilton and Gambardella will work together closely during a three-month transition period.
Gambardella previously was vice president of the Wendy's Global Account Team for Coca-Cola Refreshments. Prior to this assignment, she successfully led Coca-Cola North America's Integrated Marketing team responsible for media and interactive, digital platforms, sports and entertainment, national programs and region assets. She also has held the position of zone vice president—central for Coca-Cola FoodService, where she was responsible for managing sales and cross-functional customer relationships in 20 states in the Central United States.
Gambardella joined Coca-Cola as a foodservice account executive in New York in 1992 and was promoted to roles of increasing responsibility including director area sales, area vice president, vice president of national accounts and zone vice president.
Coca-Cola, Atlanta, is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company's portfolio features 17 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle.
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