Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. has named Michael Suco as its next president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1.
Suco, who currently serves as senior vice president and chief commercial officer, will succeed John Sherman, who is retiring at the end of July. Suco will be the eighth president and CEO to lead the company in its 120 years of operation.
“In a career that spans over 26 years in the Coca-Cola system, Mike has been involved in virtually every aspect of our business and has been an integral member of United’s leadership team,” said Claude Nielsen, Coca-Cola United’s board chairman. “His deep understanding of our operating model, his passion for our competitive business and his unwavering commitment to our purpose and values will serve as a solid foundation for leading our company.”
Sherman, who has been president and CEO since 2016, will continue to lead the company until his retirement July 31, after which he will remain on the company’s board of directors.
Based in Birmingham, Coca-Cola United is the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottling company in North America and the third largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. The company underwent a transformation between 2014 and 2017, when it more than tripled in size and scope, revenues, numbers of customers and employees. Suco played an integral role in that transition, leading the integration of the largest individual market territory, Atlanta.
“We have an amazing team, and I believe intensely in our culture of shared leadership and our local operating model,” Suco said. “We have many opportunities in front of us for growth and success, and I look forward to carrying on the legacy of service to our associates, customers and communities that has been the foundation of Coca-Cola United for 120 years.”
Suco was named to his current role of senior vice president and chief commercial officer in March 2021, with responsibility for national retail sales, marketing, on premise, revenue growth management and ecommerce. From 2016 to 2021, he served as vice president of the company’s East Region, based in Atlanta, and responsible for sales and distribution in Georgia. During the integration of the Atlanta market unit in 2017, more than 2,000 new associates and 13,000 new customers joined Coca-Cola United.
Prior to that, Suco was based in Birmingham and served as corporate vice president of operational marketing and commercial leadership, developing and implementing channel, category and brand strategies for customers and consumers. He joined Coca-Cola United in 2000, but began his career with the Coca-Cola System in 1996 for The Coca-Cola Co.
Suco grew up in Jacksonville, Alabama. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University. He is on numerous boards in Alabama and Georgia.
