Coca-Cola Beverages of Florida, also known as Coke Florida, has promoted Thomas N. Benford to president and chief operating officer of the one the largest Coke bottlers in the country.
Benford, a Harvard University graduate, will oversee end-to-end commercial operations for the company, including customer management, planning, product supply, field sales, risk management, sustainability and facilities management. He previously served as the company’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
“Coke Florida will continue to build on its solid foundation, developing strong partnerships, and innovating the way we interact with our customers and consumers,” Benford said. “We will also continue our commitment to being a strong contributor to the Florida economy and the communities where we operate.”
“As an early member of the team, Thomas has played an instrumental role in the formation, growth, and expansion of Coke Florida,” tweeted Troy Taylor, Coke Florida’s chairman and CEO. “His leadership has been invaluable to the execution of our strategic vision over the years, helping to build what is now one of the fastest growing businesses in Florida. The changes we are now making to our organizational structure will allow us to better partner with our customers and serve our consumers.”
The company is one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States. Coke Florida was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
