Ernie Merritt
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. on Wednesday announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Ernie Merritt as its next central region vice president effective Jan. 1. Mr. Merritt succeeds Bo Taylor, who became the company’s senior vice president of Operational Transformation also effective Jan. 1.
Based in Birmingham, the headquarters for Coca-Cola UNITED’s Central Region, Mr. Merritt assumes executive responsibility for sales, marketing and distribution for the company’s footprint in Alabama and parts of Tennessee, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. In addition, Mr. Merritt will lead more than 4,000 associates in 22 sales centers spanning the region.
Mr. Merritt previously served as Coca-Cola UNITED’s Southern Pine Division director, based in Montgomery, where he was responsible for five sales centers in Alabama and West Georgia with nearly 700 associates. Mr. Merritt joined Coca-Cola UNITED in 2014 as Key Account director for the Central Region, leading the company’s regional and local customer management process, and national retail sales key account development teams.
“Ernie has embedded himself in the communities he operates in and has developed long-lasting relationships with our keypartners,” said Mike Suco, Coca-Cola UNITED president and CEO. “His proven leadership, his passion for people and his broad understanding of all aspects of our business will be the foundation of his success as he leads our Central Region.”
Mr. Merritt joined the Coca-Cola System in 1991, serving in various on-premise roles across four states. He later joined Coca-Cola Enterprises in 2003 with a focus on sales and revenue growth management for the company’s Southeast and East Region business units in the U.S., and was promoted to Vice President of Food Service for the Eastern U.S. MR. Merritt’s career continued at Coca- Cola Refreshments as sales director for its Alabama Market Unit before joining Coca-Cola UNITED during its refranchising period.
“I am humbled and honored to assume the role of Central Region Vice President,” Mr. Merritt said. “It’s been an incredible journey with Coca-Cola, and I’m excited to begin this next chapter serving our communities and working alongside our fantastic group of talented associates who are the best in the business.”
Mr. Merritt is a graduate of Columbus State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He currently serves on the boards of Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama, the Camellia Bowl Executive Committee and the Alabama Beverage Association.