Douglas Ivester
Douglas Ivester | |
|---|---|
| Born | Melvin Douglas Ivester Template:Birth year and age New Holland, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1969–2000 |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company (1997–2000) |
Douglas Ivester (born 1947) is a prominent American executive who held the positions of chairman and chief executive officer at The Coca-Cola Company from 1997 until 2000.
Early life
Born Melvin Douglas Ivester in 1947 in New Holland, Georgia, he completed his secondary education at North Hall High School. Ivester graduated with honors in accounting from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business in 1969.
Career
Ivester launched his professional journey at the accounting firm Ernst and Ernst. He joined Coca-Cola in 1979 as assistant controller and corporate auditing director. By 1981, he had become the company’s youngest-ever vice president, then progressed to senior vice president of finance in 1983, and was appointed chief financial officer in 1985 at the age of 37. On October 23, 1997, Ivester ascended to chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. His retirement benefits were valued at approximately $166 million.
In recognition of his dedication to innovation, Ivester was honored with the FIFA Order of Merit and the Edison Achievement Award in 1996.
He also holds a position on the board of directors for SunTrust Bank, which has since merged into Truist Financial.
Philanthropy
Ivester contributes to the University of Georgia and its Terry College of Business by participating as an Executive-at-Large within the "Deer Run Fellows" initiative.