Alfredo Rivera named new president of Coca-Cola North America

Michelle Warren

8/25/2020

Alfredo Rivera

Alfredo Rivera is the new president of Coca-Cola North America, replacing Jim Dinkins, who is retiring.

Rivera is a 23-year veteran of the company and most recently served as president of the Latin America group, which includes 40 countries. He was named to the role in 2016 and takes on his news new role effective immediately. (Coca-Cola said it will share more information about future leadership plans for Latin America operations at a later date.)

Rivera, 59, joined the company in 1997 in the Central America and Caribbean Division as a district manager for Guatemala and El Salvador. He went on to serve in roles of greater responsibility in Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico before being named president of the Latin Center business unit. Prior to joining the company, Rivera worked for two independent Coca-Cola bottlers in Honduras and El Salvador.

Rivera will report to president and Chief Operating Officer Brian Smith.

Rivera replaces James L. “Jim” Dinkins, who has led Coca-Cola North America since 2018. Dinkins joined Coca-Cola in 1988 and went on to serve in a series of roles of increased responsibility. Dinkins will serve as a senior advisor until his retirement on Feb. 28, 2021.

“Alfredo has had a remarkable career in Latin America, which is made up of a large number of highly complex and diverse markets,” James Quincey, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, said in a statement. “Alfredo has built a networked organization that is positioning our business to emerge stronger from the current pandemic. He is a strong successor for the top role in our flagship North America market, where he will build on the great progress we’ve seen under Jim’s leadership. I thank Jim for his many years of service to the company and countless contributions to our business.”