FEMSA and Coca-Cola FEMSA make key appointments in senior leadership

MEXICO – Fomento Económico Mexicano (FEMSA)and Coca-Cola FEMSA, the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by volume, have appointed Ian Craig García, currently CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA Brazil, to become Coca-Cola FEMSA’s Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2023.

Per the companies’ careful and deliberate senior leadership succession planning processes, and consistent with previously established timeframes, Coca-Cola FEMSA has announced John Santa Maria Otazua will retire from his position as Coca-Cola FEMSA’s Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2023.

John has had a remarkable trajectory of 27 years at Coca-Cola FEMSA, playing various key roles as the company evolved and grew into the largest and most sophisticated bottler in the global Coca-Cola System.

In his tenure as CEO since 2014, the company said John has been instrumental in guiding it through a profound operational and digital transformation that positioned the company to deliver sustainable long-term value creation, as it expanded its geographic reach to include more territories in Brazil, Guatemala, and Uruguay.

Meanwhile, Ian has been an outstanding member of the FEMSA team for 28 years, with increasing responsibilities at Coca-Cola FEMSA since 2003.

Working closely with John, Ian has been CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA Brazil since 2016, achieving remarkable results at every stage and in every aspect of the business.

Concurrently, Constantino Spas Montesinos, currently Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola FEMSA, has been appointed, with the full support of FEMSA’s Board of Directors, to become Chief Executive Officer of FEMSA Strategic Businesses also on January 1, 2023.

He will succeed Alfonso Garza Garza, who will retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer of FEMSA Strategic Businesses as of the same date.

Constantino’s role at Coca-Cola FEMSA has been fundamental in advancing its transformation and strategic direction.

His appointment to head FEMSA Strategic Businesses reflects FEMSA’s vision and belief in the increased opportunities enabled by the cross-fertilization of talent among its business units.

Constantino joined Coca-Cola FEMSA in 2018, bringing with him extensive international and industry experience.

At Coca-Cola FEMSA, he has held senior positions in Strategic Planning, New Business Development, and most recently as CFO, demonstrating a high level of leadership, performance, and adaptability at every turn.

As for Alfonso, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of FEMSA’s Strategic Businesses unit since 2012, he has enjoyed a highly successful career of 37 years at several of FEMSA’s business units.

Alfonso has been instrumental in the growth of FEMSA’s refrigeration, logistics, and distribution operations, including the promising growth opportunity currently being pursued through the Envoy Solutions platform.

He has also played an active leadership role in FEMSA’s pursuit of social value through his role at the FEMSA Foundation and the Board of Directors of Monterrey Tec.

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