Retired exec of bottler to become chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Coca-Cola Co. ended months of speculation over its next chairman and chief executive by bringing in a retired official of one of its bottlers.
E. Neville Isdell, 60, was named Tuesday to succeed Doug Daft, who announced in February that he would retire at the end of the year.
Isdell, an Irish citizen, retired from the Coke system in 2001 after 35 years.
"I in no way accept that the growth in Coca-Cola is in any way over," Isdell told reporters in a conference call. "I believe that is the world's greatest brand and there is significant growth to be had with Coke."
The company's board passed over No. 2 executive Steve Heyer. The decision leaves an uncertain future for Heyer, the company's chief operating officer and only internal candidate for the top job.
Donald Keough, a Coke director and leader of the company's CEO search committee, said Isdell was the best choice for the top job because of his deep knowledge of the company. He brushed off suggestions from some observers that Coke should have picked an outsider to restore confidence in the company, which included candidates from other companies for the first time in a search for a CEO.
"This is not a popularity contest," Keough said.
Isdell inherits a company that has posted strong results but has raised concerns among investors amid layoffs, key executive departures and federal investigations.
The Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission have been investigating fraud allegations involving the company's business practices for nearly a year.