February 11/Atlanta/Business Wire -- Coca-Cola Enterprises announced the company's board of directors will name John F. Brock as chairman of the board and chief executive officer, following the company's annual meeting of shareholders on April 22, 2008. Brock will succeed Lowry F. Kline, chairman, who will retire from the board of directors at that time.

"Since joining Coca-Cola Enterprises in 2006, John has shown an exceptional level of leadership, direction and knowledge of the company and industry," said L. Phillip Humann, chair of the board's governance and nominating committee, Coca-Cola Enterprises. "The board is confident that John will continue to transform CCE into a high-performance company as chairman and CEO."

Since joining the company as president, CEO, and a member of the company's board of directors in May 2006, Brock and the company's executive leadership team have taken several steps to create improved financial performance and improve shareowner value. They established a Global Operating Framework that articulates CCE's vision to become the best beverage sales and customer service company and identifies three strategic priorities: grow the value of existing brands and expand the product portfolio; transform the go-to-market model and improve efficiency and effectiveness; and attract, develop and retain a highly talented and diverse workforce.

"As we have worked to address the key issues facing this company, I have found a solid foundation of skilled, motivated employees and excellent brands and products," Brock said. "I believe we have the right ingredients to accomplish great things in the months and years ahead, and I appreciate the board's confidence in our work.

"It is an honor to succeed Lowry Kline, a proven leader who has made many meaningful contributions to CCE and to the Coca-Cola system," he said. "Lowry helped create the foundation of this business that we work from today, and his influence will last for years to come."

Kline has served as chairman of the board since April 2002. He also served as chief executive officer of the company for two terms, the first from April 2001 to January 2004 and most recently from December 2005 to April 2006, and as vice chairman from April 2000 to April 2002. "Lowry has been an integral part of our company's growth, leading the company as both chairman and CEO," said Humann. "The board thanks Lowry for his many years of leadership, commitment and passion for Coca-Cola Enterprises."

From the February 18, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash