The Atlanta, Georgia-based Coca-Cola Co. has named Monica Howard Douglas as SVP and general counsel.
Douglas is a 17-year veteran of the company who most recently served as chief compliance officer and associate general counsel for the North America operating unit. In her new role, she will oversee the company’s global legal function, reporting to Chairman and CEO James Quincey.
Douglas joined Coca-Cola in 2004 as senior managing counsel. She went on to hold roles of increasing responsibility, including as legal director for Coca-Cola Southern and East Africa, before being named general counsel for Coca-Cola North America in 2018.
“Monica is an outstanding legal leader who has deep experience working across our company and system,” Quincey said. “She will oversee the continued evolution of the legal function at the company while also serving as a valued voice in helping lead our overall business.”
Prior to Coca-Cola, Douglas was an attorney with Equifax and an associate at Troutman Sanders LLP, now known as Troutman Pepper LLP, both in Atlanta.
She is member of the board of directors for VICI Properties Inc., Junior Achievement USA and Cool Girls Inc. Douglas, 48, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Stanford University.
Douglas succeeds Bradley Gayton. Her role is effective immediately.
Gayton appointed strategic consultant to chairman and CEO
Bradley Gayton, who had served as SVP and global general counsel, has been appointed to a strategic consultant role. In this new capacity, he will focus on working with the chairman and CEO to drive certain key objectives.
“I, along with the company’s leadership team and the board of directors, thank Bradley for his service as our global general counsel,” Quincey said. “I look forward to working with him in this new role.”
Since joining Coca-Cola from Ford Motor Co., Gayton has led the global Coca-Cola legal organization through a period of transition. Gayton also has led initiatives for innovation, diversity and inclusion, including advancing public service through the law.
“It has been a privilege to do such important work with my amazing colleagues in the legal department and to be part of Coca-Cola’s dynamic leadership team,” Gayton said. “I look forward to working with James in this new strategic role.”
Officer elections
The board also elected Jeffrey Gilbert as VP and chief security officer. Gilbert joined the company March 15 and is responsible for developing the vision, strategy and implementation of global security risk strategy, operational planning and related strategic security programs.
Gilbert joined Coca-Cola from WarnerMedia, where he served the last several years as SVP and chief security officer. He led the global organization of security professionals to deliver strategic security solutions across the enterprise.
He has more than 21 years of progressive experience in law enforcement with the U.S. Secret Service, including nine years in an executive leadership role. Gilbert also spent seven years with PepsiCo, serving in senior security roles, both domestically and international.
Gilbert is a graduate of Hampton University and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
The board elected Lucy Reid as VP of strategic ingredient supply. Reid leads the company’s supply chain sourcing activities for all flavor and non-agricultural ingredients used across the global system.
She joined the company in 1988 and has held roles of increasing responsibility with Minute Maid, Coca-Cola North America, Coca-Cola Refreshments and in the corporate center.
In her previous role as director of flavor supply ingredient and product governance, she was responsible for governance of ingredients and formulas, strategic regulatory leadership for flavors and stewardship for Trademark Coca-Cola products.
Reid is a member of the board of governors for the Flavor Extract Manufacturers Association. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Quarterly dividend
The Coca-Cola Co. board also declared a dividend of 42 cents per common share. The dividend is payable July 1, to shareowners of record of the company as of the close of business on June 15.
Earlier this year, the board approved the company’s 59th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend 2.4 percent from 41 cents to 42 cents per common share.
