The Coca‑Cola Company Announces Key Leadership Appointments
09-01-2020
Henrique Braun to be President of Latin America Operating Unit; Nikos Koumettis to be President of Europe Operating Unit
Nancy Quan to Lead Combined Innovation and Technical Function, Following Retirement of Chief Innovation Officer Robert Long
ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2020 – The Coca‑Cola Company today announced three key leadership appointments that are part of the company’s ongoing work to establish an organization that is highly networked, less hierarchical and built for future growth.
Today’s news builds on an announcement from last week when the company unveiled a reorganization that focuses on three pillars: operations, beverage categories and the services that enable them around the world.
Latin America operating unit
Henrique Braun, who currently serves as president of the Brazil business unit, will become president of the new Latin America operating unit.
Before being named president of the Brazil business unit, Braun served as president of Greater China & Korea. He joined the company in 1996 in Atlanta and progressed through roles of increasing responsibility in North America, Europe and Latin America. Those positions included supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management and bottling operations.
Braun holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, a master's degree in industrial engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgia State University.
Europe operating unit
Nikos Koumettis, current president of the Europe, Middle East & Africa group, will become president of the new Europe operating unit.
Prior to his current role, Koumettis served as president of the company’s Central and Eastern Europe business unit, where he was responsible for overseeing company operations in 26 countries. Koumettis also served as president of the Central and Southern Europe business unit.
He joined Coca‑Cola in 2001.
Koumettis holds a bachelor of science in business administration from the American College of Greece and a master of science degree in international marketing from Strathclyde Business School.
North America and other operating units
The company previously announced that Alfredo Rivera has become president of the North America unit. Rivera has most recently served as president of the Latin America group.
The company will announce the complete list of operating unit geographies and their leaders later this week.
Innovation and technical functions
The company announced today that Chief Innovation Officer Robert Long plans to retire Feb. 28, 2021, after a 17-year career with the company. Long has held a number of different roles and most recently has led work to accelerate the growth of the company’s consumer-centric brand portfolio through innovations in beverages, packaging, ingredients and other areas.
After Long’s retirement, the company will combine its innovation and technical functions under the leadership of Nancy Quan, who will now become the Chief Technical & Innovation Officer.
Quan joined the company in 2007 and currently oversees the company’s Technical and Supply Chain community; Strategic Ingredient Procurement; Flavor Supply and Manufacturing; Commercial Products Supply; Strategic Supply Chain; Quality, Safety and Environment; Scientific and Regulatory Affairs; Technical Data Intelligence; and Technical Knowledge and Skills.
Quan is a graduate of Purdue University.
About The Coca‑Cola Company
The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca‑Cola brand, our portfolio includes AdeS, Ayataka, Costa, Dasani, Del Valle, Fanta, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest, innocent, Minute Maid, Powerade, Simply, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
