Coke Florida Announces Key Leadership Changes; Andy Hill to Lead Customer and Commercial Operations, Thomas Benford Becomes Advisor to CEO

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) announced that Andy Hill, Chief Customer Officer, will immediately take on the expanded role of Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, reporting to Troy Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coke Florida. The company also announced that Thomas Benford, President and Chief Operating Officer, has decided to leave the company at the end of the year and will transition to become an advisor to Mr. Taylor.

Hill joined Coke Florida in 2024 as its Chief Customer Officer, bringing over 30 years of experience across the consumer and retail industries. He previously led the US Retail business at Mondelez International and, prior to Mondelez, held leadership roles across the Coca-Cola system. “Since joining Coke Florida last year, Andy has quickly made positive impacts across our commercial operations. I am positive that Andy will continue to provide strong leadership while developing talent and driving long-term value and growth,” said Troy Taylor.

Benford has been with Coke Florida since its founding in 2015 and has played a key role in transforming the business to deliver sustainable, profitable growth. “I have known and worked with Thomas for nearly 25 years, and he has made invaluable contributions to Coke Florida. I thank him for his friendship and service, and, on behalf of the company, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” continued Taylor.

About Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is the sixth largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Coke Florida markets, sells, manufactures, distributes, and merchandises products of The Coca-Cola Company in an exclusive territory that covers over 21 million consumers across 47 Florida counties that includes the Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville metropolitan areas. The company employs over 5,000 associates and has four GreenCircle certified manufacturing facilities and eighteen sales and distribution centers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tampa, Coke Florida is the one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States and is Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certified. In 2024, Coke Florida was recognized as a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte-Private and The Wall Street Journal for the third consecutive year. To learn more, visit www.cokeflorida.com.