John Sherman
Claude Nielsen
Claude Nielsen and John Sherman
The board of directors of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., headquartered in Birmingham, elected John H. Sherman as president and chief executive officer to succeed Claude B. Nielsen who will continue to serve as chairman of the board of directors. The appointment was effective on Tuesday.
In the summer of 1975, Mr. Sherman entered the Coca-Cola business as a route helper at Augusta Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a division of Coca-Cola UNITED. In 1977, he officially began his career in the Coca-Cola System as a part-time clerk in the Route Accounting Department of The Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company while enrolled at Georgia Tech. After graduating from Georgia Tech he joined Coca-Cola Enterprises, rising to the position of region manager with responsibility for CCE’s Alabama and South Georgia franchises. In 1990, he joined Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, serving as director of marketing in the east region. Prior to his election by the board of directors for Coca-Cola UNITED in April of this year, he most recently served as senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Coca-Cola UNITED.
In 2013, The Coca-Cola Company announced the commencement of the 21st Century Beverage Partnership model. This model refranchised territories to select Coca-Cola bottlers to strengthen and build a more agile, customer-focused franchise business partnership in the United States. As one of five participating Coca-Cola bottlers, Coca-Cola UNITED engaged in the strategic planning and implementation of acquiring multiple franchise territories, integrating systems and processes, and transitioning customers and employees. Beginning in March of 2014 and concluding in April of 2016, in his role as senior vice president and chief commercial officer, Mr. Sherman’s leadership contributed to Coca-Cola UNITED’s successful acquisition of eighteen Coca-Cola franchise territories in five southeastern states; to include, the seamless transition of over 36,000 customers into UNITED’s local operating business model and 2,800 Coca-Cola associates into the Coca-Cola UNITED family.
In addition to his leadership responsibilities in Coca-Cola UNITED, Mr. Sherman serves in multiple Coca-Cola System leadership and governance positions that are essential components of the future System architecture. He served as president of the Alabama Soft Drink Association (now Alabama Beverage Association) for an unprecedented two consecutive terms, from 1999 to 2005, and has served on its executive committee since 1993. In 2005, he received the Alabama Beverage Association’s 30th Distinguished Service Award – the highest honor bestowed by the soft drink industry in Alabama. Mr. Sherman currently serves on the board of advisors of the Brock School of Business at Samford University. He also serves on the board of directors of the Dr Pepper Bottlers Association and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
“Over the past 38 years, John has been involved in virtually every aspect of our business,” said Claude Nielsen, chairman of the board of directors for Coca-Cola UNITED. “His field experience with UNITED, deep understanding of our local operating business model and passion for our competitive business are paramount in growing our business and cultivating strong and enduring relationships. These, in conjunction with John’s unwavering commitment to our Purpose and Values, serve as a solid foundation for leading Coca-Cola UNITED.” With respect to UNITED’s expansion and leadership transition, Mr. Nielsen said, “I have never been more optimistic and excited about the future of our Company and the entire Coca-Cola System.”