Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Elevates Karla Radtke to Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration as Company Enters Its “Next 10” Growth Phase
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida), the independent Coca-Cola bottler serving the Sunshine State, has officially announced a key leadership transition within its executive team. Karla Radtke has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, an appointment that reflects her extensive experience, deep understanding of the Coca-Cola system, and her ongoing contributions to the company’s growth and culture.
The announcement comes as Coke Florida celebrates a decade of operations and looks ahead to the future with a strategic growth initiative known internally as the “Next 10.” As Coke Florida charts its path forward in a dynamic and competitive marketplace, the company is doubling down on one of its most valuable assets—its people. With a renewed focus on organizational excellence, workforce development, and leadership cultivation, Radtke’s promotion signals a strong commitment to building high-performing teams across all levels of the business.
A Recognized Leader with a Proven Track Record
“Karla brings a proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams across the Coke system,” said Troy Taylor, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Coke Florida. “As we recently celebrated our 10-year anniversary and begin our ‘Next 10’ focus, she will be a key leader in identifying, training, and promoting talent across our business.”
Radtke joined Coke Florida in 2021 as Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer. In this critical strategic role, she worked closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to drive strategic alignment across business units, support enterprise-level planning, and enhance cross-functional coordination. Her tenure in this role positioned her at the center of the company’s major initiatives, giving her unique insight into the evolving needs of both the business and its people.
Prior to her time at Coke Florida, Radtke amassed over three decades of experience within the broader Coca-Cola system, including key roles at Coca-Cola North America. Her most recent position before joining Coke Florida was Vice President of Category Commercial Operations, where she played a central role in bridging marketing and sales strategies. Throughout her career, Radtke has held leadership positions in sales, sales operations, marketing, commercial operations, and supply chain functions, giving her a well-rounded view of the beverage industry’s inner workings.
Her cross-functional expertise and people-first leadership style have earned her widespread recognition across the system. She is known not only for driving results but also for mentoring rising leaders and cultivating a workplace culture rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and innovation.
Passion for People and Talent Development
Following her appointment, Radtke shared her enthusiasm for the new chapter ahead. “As we continue on our journey to becoming the best performing consumer packaged goods company in Florida, I am thrilled to share my passion for people and talent development across Coke Florida,” she said. “I look forward to working alongside our team to help us reach our full potential.”
In her expanded role, Radtke will oversee all aspects of Human Resources and Administration. This includes talent acquisition, employee engagement, workforce planning, leadership development, diversity and inclusion strategies, and overall organizational health. Her leadership will be instrumental as the company scales its operations and deepens its investments in workforce capability and culture.
Her vision aligns seamlessly with Coke Florida’s long-term business goals. The company has been recognized for its distinctive corporate culture and commitment to employee development, with numerous initiatives designed to create pathways for advancement, foster leadership from within, and support communities throughout the state.
Honoring a Founding Leader: David Cross to Retire
The promotion of Karla Radtke also marks the culmination of an important chapter in Coke Florida’s history, as David Cross, the company’s inaugural Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration, retires after nearly two decades of service to the Coca-Cola system.
Cross has been a vital part of Coke Florida since its inception in 2015. Over the course of his tenure, he built and led a strong HR function that played a foundational role in shaping the company’s values, leadership development programs, and employee experience. His efforts helped Coke Florida attract and retain talent across a fast-growing geographic footprint, and he was instrumental in launching several initiatives designed to foster employee well-being, engagement, and leadership at every level.
“David has been with us since day one, and he will always be a part of the Coke Florida family,” said CEO Troy Taylor. “I want to thank David for the tremendous contributions he has made to Coke Florida over the years. His leadership and commitment have laid the groundwork for the company’s future success, and we wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
Cross’s retirement comes at a moment of reflection and renewal for Coke Florida, which has rapidly grown to become one of the largest independently owned Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. His legacy will live on through the teams he built and the leadership culture he helped cultivate.
Coke Florida’s Continued Commitment to People and Performance
With over 4,800 associates, more than 600,000 customers, and 18 sales and distribution centers across the state, Coke Florida plays a pivotal role in the delivery of Coca-Cola products to millions of Floridians. The company services a territory that includes major urban centers like Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando, as well as rural communities and coastal areas.
As a minority-owned and privately held bottler, Coke Florida operates with a strong sense of mission and purpose. The company is deeply committed to community impact, sustainability, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth. Its human resources strategy reflects this commitment, emphasizing equitable access to opportunity, career development pathways, and community engagement initiatives that go beyond the workplace.
Under Karla Radtke’s leadership, the Human Resources and Administration function is poised to become even more strategic and impactful. Her deep system knowledge, people-first philosophy, and commitment to operational excellence make her an ideal choice to guide the next era of talent development at Coke Florida.
As Coke Florida embarks on its next phase of growth, known internally as the “Next 10,” the organization is sharpening its focus on operational excellence, talent readiness, digital innovation, and customer experience. The leadership transition in HR reflects this broader strategy—placing leaders with diverse, future-ready skillsets in pivotal roles.
Radtke’s appointment also sends a strong message to internal and external stakeholders about Coke Florida’s long-term vision. By elevating a leader with cross-functional expertise and a passion for culture and talent, the company underscores its belief that success in the beverage industry is not only driven by brands and distribution—but by the strength, creativity, and commitment of its people.
Coke Florida’s announcement of Karla Radtke as its new Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration is more than a personnel change—it’s a strategic move aimed at reinforcing the company’s core values and setting the stage for its future. As the company enters its second decade of operation, it remains focused on building a world-class team, fostering leadership from within, and delivering meaningful impact across Florida.
With the transition, Coke Florida honors the legacy of David Cross while embracing a new chapter under Radtke’s leadership—one defined by growth, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to people.
About Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is the sixth largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Coke Florida makes, sells, and distributes products of The Coca-Cola Company in an exclusive territory that covers over 21 million consumers across 47 counties in Florida. The company employs over 5,000 associates and operates four Green Circle Certified manufacturing facilities and eighteen distribution centers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tampa, Coke Florida is one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States. In 2025, Coke Florida was recognized as a US Best Managed Company Gold Standard Winner by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. To learn more, visit www.cokeflorida.com.
