Muhtar Kent of The Coca-Cola Company to Receive Global Leadership Award
Nebraska Senator Hagel and Capital Markets Expert to Speak at USCIB Gala
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - October 30, 2008) - Muhtar Kent, president and CEO of The
Coca-Cola Company, will be honored with the top award of the United States
Council for International Business at a November 12 gala in New York.
Mr. Kent was tapped to head the beverage giant in part because of extensive
international experience. The Coca-Cola Company recently reported solid
third-quarter earnings, bucking the downbeat trend among many top
companies, thanks in large part to growth in sales outside the United
States.
According to USCIB Chairman William G. Parrett, Mr. Kent exemplifies the
spirit of the council's International Leadership Award, which is accorded
annually to a top CEO.
"Muhtar Kent's background demonstrates why U.S.-based companies are
increasingly moving into their international ranks to find top talent,"
said Mr. Parrett, former CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. "He has
demonstrated the global mindset necessary to push one's company into new
markets and into the vanguard of global business."
Speakers at the gala event, which takes place at the Waldorf-Astoria,
include Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Hal Scott of Harvard Law
School, director of the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation. Senator
Hagel will address the results of the U.S. elections, while Professor Scott
will focus on the global financial system. The annual USCIB award gala
draws hundreds of business leaders as well as dignitaries from government
and diplomatic circles. More information on the event is available at
www.uscibgala.com.
Recent recipients of USCIB's award include Fisk Johnson of SC Johnson,
Terry McGraw of McGraw-Hill and Jean-René Fourtou of Vivendi Universal.
Mr. Kent joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1978 and has held a variety of
marketing and operations roles, both in the U.S. and overseas. He served
as president and CEO of the Efes Beverage Group in Istanbul from 1999 until
his return to The Coca-Cola Company in 2005. He became CEO in July of
2008.
USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce. Its membership
encompasses leading U.S. companies, professional services firms and
associations. As American affiliate of several leading global business
groups, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory
authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.
Contact Information: CONTACT:
Jonathan Huneke
VP Communications
USCIB
(212) 703-5043