Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) Promotes Brian Kelley to Head Integration of North American Operations

With the acquisition of its largest bottler, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) has integration challenges for its North American operations, and has named Brian Kelley to head up the unit which will take on the task.

Coca-Cola acquired Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (NYSE:CCE), its largest bottling company in North America, which is expected to close sometime in the fourth quarter.

The new division Kelley will lead will be called North America Business Integration, which will include four units Kelley will have to bring together under the umbrella; the North American supply chain operations, North America Foodservice, Odwalla juice and Minute-Maid business.

Once the acquisition of Coca-Cola Enterprises officially is closed, the new business will be called 'Coca-Cola Refreshments USA Inc.,' while its Canadian subsidiary will be dubbed Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada Ltd.

Past experience in the company, which Kelley has worked at for 27 years, includes responsibility for the North American supply chain operations of Coca-cola and is now leading the North American Still Beverages unit.
 
It seems this is a temporary promotion for Kelley, as IBM said they will name a chief executive officer and president of the new unit sometime in the near future.