Coca Cola GC Geoffrey Kelly steps down

The general counsel at Coca Cola, Geoffrey Kelly, has announced his retirement from the role after a 42-year career with the company. Kelly joined Coca-Cola in 1970 and became its GC and senior vice president in 2005. “Geoff’s deep experience across the operations of the company, combined with his passion for our business and his people have made him invaluable in leading the legal function,” said Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent in a statement. “His legacy includes developing a global organization with great depth of leadership across the entire Coca-Cola system, the successful protection of our trademarks, and creation of business solutions which have accelerated the growth of our system,” he said. Kelly will be succeeded by associate general counsel Bernhard Goepelt, who joined the company as the German legal counsel in 1992 and has since operated in numerous roles within the company. Outgoing GC Geoffrey Kelly will stay on as senior vice president through February 2012 to assist with Goepelt’s transition.

Coca Cola GC Geoffrey Kelly steps down law.com Wed, Dec 21, 2011