KO Coca Cola Company

By Mike Esterl 

Coca-Cola Co. said that Ed Steinike, the company's chief information officer, died Friday after a brief illness.

Coke didn't immediately name a successor. Mr. Steinike, 58, oversaw the company's technology operations.

In an internal note to employees Friday afternoon, Chief Executive Muhtar Kent and President James Quincey praised Mr. Steinike as "the consummate Coca-Cola leader and ambassador" and as a thought leader in information technology.

"We will always remember Ed for his quick wit, intellectual curiosity, self-deprecating humor and deep commitment and passion for developing his people," added Messrs. Kent and Quincey.

Mr. Steinike, a Wisconsin native and Marquette University graduate, began his tenure at Coke in 2002 as chief technology officer. He then served as chief development officer and CIO of the North American business from 2004 to 2007.

He rejoined Coke in 2010 after serving as CIO at ING Insurance.

Mr. Steinike also worked at General Electric Co. for 26 years.

Write to Mike Esterl at mike.esterl@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 11, 2016 11:47 ET (15:47 GMT)

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