Coca-Cola Chooses a Second-in-Command

Coca-Cola Co., as it moves from the era of retiring Chairman and Chief Executive Douglas Ivester, anointed a strong second-in-command for the first time in several years. Coca-Cola said it intends to elect Jack Stahl, who oversees the company’s prestigious operations in the Americas, as president and chief operating officer in April. Stahl, a 20-year veteran now responsible for operations that account for about half of Coca-Cola’s revenue, will become the No. 2 man under Douglas Daft, who vaulted into the top job last month after Ivester resigned unexpectedly. Ivester had been criticized for failing to name a clear deputy during his two-year tenure as chief executive. Daft, who is expected to be formally elected Ivester’s successor in April, took all of six weeks to make the move. Shares in the Atlanta-based company rose $3.94 to close at $65 on the NYSE.