Coke Florida Appoints Gerald M. Charles, Jr. as Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (Coke Florida), one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States, has announced the appointment of Gerald M. Charles, Jr. as its new Vice President, Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer. The move places Charles on the company’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to Troy Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Coke Florida.
Charles joins Coke Florida with more than two decades of legal and corporate governance experience, including extensive tenure in general counsel roles and executive leadership positions. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at The Warranty Group. His career also includes leadership with the American International Group (AIG), where he held multiple senior legal roles globally.
“Gerald brings exceptional legal acumen and leadership. His blend of legal, corporate strategy, and community engagement experience is precisely what we need as we continue to scale and strengthen our business,” said Troy Taylor.
In his new role, Charles will oversee the company’s legal, risk management, real estate transactions, government relations, and corporate affairs strategies. His appointment signals Coke Florida’s focus on reinforcing its legal infrastructure amid continued growth and expanding community partnerships.
Founded in 2015, Coke Florida is an independent Coca-Cola bottler serving over 21 million consumers across 47 counties in Florida. The company operates more than 18 sales and distribution facilities and four manufacturing plants. It was ranked as the sixth-largest Black-owned business in the U.S. by Black Enterprise in 2022.
Charles also brings a strong commitment to community involvement. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Florida Aquarium and is a past board member of Communities in Schools Chicago and the Brookfield Zoo. His civic engagement aligns with Coke Florida’s broader ESG and community-focused priorities.
The appointment further solidifies Coke Florida’s leadership bench at a time when regulatory complexity and sustainability commitments are becoming increasingly significant to beverage and FMCG companies operating at scale. Charles’ legal leadership is expected to play an instrumental role in guiding strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance, and fostering trusted partnerships with government and community stakeholders.