Coca-Cola Exec Shares Knowledge and Experience with Management Class

Jamie Harris, Executive Vice-President of Business Transformation and Business Services for Coca-Cola Consolidated, stopped by JMU on March 23 to lead some classroom discussions. Along with his colleague Ashley McFarland, he addressed four units of MGT 487: Strategic Management on the subject of “Refreshing the Coke System: The 21st Century Franchise Partnership.” 

In his current role, Harris is accountable for leading strategic and transformational growth and profitability initiatives, including strategic expansion and productivity projects, the company’s adjacency businesses and key strategic business service divisions. 

Management lecturer Dan Zisk said that, “Harris’ description of his company’s strategic initiative built on work students had done earlier in the semester, including analysis of a Harvard ‘Cola Wars’ case. Students enjoyed hearing the perspective of Jamie and his colleague, Ashley McFarland, not only about strategy but also on what they have to do to prepare to be successful after graduation.”