Roberto C. Goizueta
& The Coca-Cola Company

Roberto C. Goizueta
& The Coca-Cola Company

In 1954, Mr. Goizueta began entry-level work as a chemist for the Havana subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, a job he secured after answering a blind help-wanted ad. After Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959, Mr. Goizueta fled with his wife, Olga, and their three children to the United States, bringing with him three things Castro could not take away: his integrity, his education, and his job with The Coca-Cola Company.

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Once at the Company’s headquarters in Atlanta, Mr. Goizueta’s leadership potential was quickly recognized by others, and in 1966 he began his ascent to Chief Executive Officer. In 1981, he was named Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, the Company began to change and experienced tremendous global growth. As a result, Coca-Cola became the most recognized brand in the world.

“My story boils down to the uniquely American idea that a young immigrant could come to this country with nothing but a good education and a job as a chemist, and 30 years later have the opportunity to lead one of the world's best-known enterprises.”

– Roberto C. Goizueta –

Through the Years at The Coca-Cola Company

Scroll below to learn more about Roberto C. Goizueta’s tenure at The Coca-Cola Company.

1981

Mr. Goizueta was named the youngest-ever Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

1981

First bottling joint venture formed with the Philippines, creating the first step towards global expansion.

1982

The Coca-Cola Company buys Columbia Pictures.

1982

Diet Coke debuts.

1984

The Coca-Cola Foundation is established under Roberto C. Goizueta’s leadership.

1985

New Coke/Classic Coke debuts. Cherry Coke debuts. Mr. Woodruff passes away.

1986

The Coca-Cola Company celebrates 100 years and Roberto C. Goizueta wins Fortune Magazine’s Most Admired CEO Award.

1987

The Coca-Cola Company merges Columbia Pictures with TriStar to form Columbia Tristar Pictures.

1990

The World of Coca-Cola opens in Atlanta.

1991

Roberto C. Goizueta celebrates his 10th Anniversary as Chairman and CEO. The Coca-Cola Company exceeds $50B in market value.

1993

“Always” Campaign begins. The Coca-Cola Company wins Top 10 Fortune Most Admired Corporation.

1994

Roberto C. Goizueta gives a pivotal speech to Atlanta’s business leaders in advance of the 1996 Olympic Games, advocating for A Stronger Atlanta. The Goizueta Business School is named. Roberto C. Goizueta is the first Chairman voted by The Coca-Cola Company board to continue as Chairman and CEO past the age of 65.

1996

Roberto C. Goizueta is named Fortune’s CEO of the Year. The Coca-Cola Company exceeds $100B in market value.

1997

Mr. Goizueta passes away after a brief battle with cancer. The Company mourns the loss of its leader.

Goizueta Legacy Scholarship

The Goizueta Legacy Scholarships were established by Roberto C. Goizueta to benefit deserving children of associates of The Coca-Cola Company. The Goizueta Foundation awards need-based financial aid to five Goizueta Legacy Scholars each year. Each fall, The Coca-Cola Company notifies eligible employees about the scholarship program. Applications are available in late fall and scholarship recipients are notified in early spring. To assure complete impartiality in the selection of recipients and to preserve the confidentiality of parents’ financial circumstances, the program is administered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services. For more information about the Goizueta Legacy Scholarships, please contact ISTS at [email protected] or 855-670-4787. 

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Scholar Institution The Coca-Cola Company Associate Location
Jordan A. Adeyemi Clark University Adejumoke Adeyemi Atlanta, GA
Elizabeth M. Wyatt Polk State College Roderick Parker Auburndale, FL
Audrey E. Ta University of Georgia Richard Ta Atlanta, GA
Cory T. Cordell Bowling Green State University Christopher Tarby Columbus, OH
Yuma Shigyo UCLA Asuka Shigyo Atlanta, GA

Scholar Institution The Coca-Cola Company Associate Location
Ava M. Trejo California Baptist University Santino Trejo Ontario, CA
Denise Ferrer University of Hawaii at Manoa Katherine Rivera De La Paz Chandler, AZ
Kathryn G. Pruitt University of Florida William Pruitt Auburndale, FL
Kaidyn Lucas Xavier University Leia Lucas Columbus, OH
Annabella R. Garcia California State University-San Bernardino Matthew Garcia Ontario, CA

Scholar Institution The Coca-Cola Company Associate Location
Nicole Raver California State University – Long Beach Sasithorn Piyaamorn American Canyon, CA
Amelie C. Sengupta Georgia College & State University Janel McCurrie Atlanta, GA
Gideon M. Ta University of Georgia Richard M. Ta Atlanta, GA
Faustina Wan University of California – Berkeley Glenn Wan American Canyon, CA
Flora Wan University of California – Berkeley Glenn Wan American Canyon, CA

Scholar Institution The Coca-Cola Company Associate Location
Kassidy A. Coey Shawnee State University Gary M. Coey Columbus, OH
Amber R. Martinez University of Georgia Thomas Martinez Acworth, GA
Joseph D. Melendez Texas A & M University Erick Melendez Hallsville, TX
Keziah G. Olsen Westmont College Carolyn Olsen Irvine, CA
Samantha L. Pruitt University of Florida William Pruitt Auburndale, FL
Itmar N. Garcia Vazquez Southwestern Assemblies of God University Jimmy Garcia, Jr. Dallas, TX

Scholar Institution The Coca-Cola Company Associate Location
Alexis M. Bateh Georgia Institute of Technology Souzi Bateh Atlanta, GA
Alanis R. Broussard Boston University Demetria R. Lane Atlanta, GA
Kyle J. Kunberger University of Georgia Elizabeth Lane Kunberger Atlanta, GA
Madison J. Lebish Lafayette College Michael A. Lebish Danielsville, PA
Gustavo A. Perez, Jr. University of North Florida Gustavo A. Perez Tavares, FL

Scholar Institution The Coca-Cola Company Associate Location
Marcel P. Paris-Agafonov Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Susan Paris Agafonov Marietta, GA
Cadasia J. Shields Georgia State University Malisha H. Shields Fairburn, GA
Anthony P. Short University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Kimberly Wetherill Paw Paw, MI
Jacquelyn Torres Dominican University of California Miguel Torres Sonoma, CA
Reece A. White University of Georgia Melissa White Douglasville, GA