Coca-Cola Company Executive to Join USHCC Board of Directors


WASHINGTON,, Jan. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) has announced that Peter Villegas, Vice President of Latin Affairs for The Coca-Cola Company, will join the organization's Board of Directors effective immediately. Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company on the globe, distributing to more than 200 countries. The company owns over a dozen billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Del Valle.

"We are extremely pleased to have Peter Villegas continue to serve on our Board of Directors as a part of The Coca-Cola Company -- the world's largest beverage company and one of the most iconic brands in history," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "As Vice President of Latin Affairs for The Coca-Cola Company, Peter will continue to work strategically with community leaders in the public and private sectors to advance the company's engagement with the Hispanic community and promote the highest degree of corporate responsibility. We have no doubt that Peter will apply the same visionary leadership to our association, and we look forward to leveraging our strengths to continue serving America's Hispanic businesses."  
 
Peter Villegas served previously on the USHCC Board of Directors as an executive at JPMorgan Chase. In 2012, he was recognized with the association's Corporate Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes an executive who has vigorously championed the cause of minority-owned businesses. This accolade honors those who work diligently to advance the USHCC's mission, and  harness the talents of small businesses, local chambers, and major corporations to advance supplier diversity and procurement opportunities.
 
"I am excited about this opportunity to join the most recognized brand in the world, The Coca-Cola Company," said Vice President of Latin Affairs for The Coca-Cola Company, Peter Villegas. "Our partnership with the USHCC will allow Coca-Cola to maintain the pulse of the Hispanic market and utilize company initiatives and efforts that will benefit the communities which we serve.
 
"We are excited to continue to count on Peter's wealth of experience, now coupled with one of the most widely-celebrated brands and a company that is proudly committed to stakeholder engagement, supplier diversity, and strengthening a relationship with America's small business community," said USHCC Chairman of Nominations and Governance Don Salazar. "As an executive of The Coca-Cola Company, Peter Villegas will make an excellent addition to our Board of Directors."
 
The Coca-Cola Company was inducted into the USHCC's Million Dollar Club, which recognizes and celebrates top corporations that integrate Hispanic Business Enterprises (HBEs) into their strategic sourcing and procurement processes.  These corporations are publically acknowledged as trailblazers in supplier diversity for their commitment to increasing opportunities for Hispanic suppliers, in addition to their overall commitment to global diversity.
 
About The Coca-Cola Company
 
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.  Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company's portfolio features 17 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle.  Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks.  Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day.  With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.  Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates.  For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
 
About the USHCC
 
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute in excess of $468 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 220 major corporations.
 
For more information, visitwww.ushcc.com.
 
Follow us on Twitter @USHCC



            

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