Coca-Cola named Rob Gehring president of its North America operating unit, effective 1 December. Gehring ran Monster Beverage's Americas business and was previously chief executive of Swire Coca-Cola USA. John Murphy, who held the North America role on an interim basis, remains president and chief financial officer. Coca-Cola shares are up more than 25 percent this year.
Coca-Cola named Rob Gehring president of its North America operating unit, effective 1 December. Gehring succeeds John Murphy, who held the role on an interim basis. Murphy remains president and chief financial officer once the interim assignment ends. The North America operating unit runs the company's business in the United States and Canada.[1], [2]
Gehring ran Monster Beverage's Americas business. He took over that business in February after serving as chief growth officer since 2024. Before that he was chief executive of the Coca-Cola bottler Swire Coca-Cola USA. Gehring is 59; Coca-Cola's own statement introduces him as chief executive of the Americas at Monster Energy. Gehring returns to the Coca-Cola system knowing it from both the bottling side and the energy-drink side.[1], [2]
CNBC reports that Coca-Cola grew net sales by 7 percent in the second quarter, and North American volume rose 3 percent. Monster Beverage grew net sales by 20 percent in the same quarter. Coca-Cola shares are up more than 25 percent this year, and Monster shares more than 12 percent. Gehring takes over North America at a time when sales and volume are growing.[1]
