Coke refreshes with new president

Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada has a new president. William (Bill) Schultz was named to the post Tuesday.

A nine-year Coke veteran, Schultz (pictured) will lead Coke’s bottling operations in this country, which includes 65 facilities countrywide, plus 6,300 employees.

He replaces John Guarino, who the company said is retiring.

Before coming to Canada, Schultz led Coke’s company-owned bottlers in Latin America and strategic projects for the Bottling Investment Group.

His resume at Coke also includes president and CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages India and president and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines.

Prior to joining Coke, Schultz worked at Georgia-Pacific, Mars and Procter & Gamble. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Columbia University.

In addition to celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, Coke is also marking a milestone in Canada: It was 110 years ago that Coke's first Canadian bottling operation opened, in Toronto.