Earl T. Leonard

• Executive-in-Residence
• Former Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs Division, Coca Cola Company

Biography

Earl T. Leonard, Jr. is the retired senior vice president for corporate affairs of The Coca-Cola Company. He joined the Company in January 1964.

Mr. Leonard graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism in 1958. He served on the faculty of the School of Journalism for three years while also attending the School of Law, and obtained a law degree in 1961.

He served as press secretary to U.S. Senator Richard B. Russell, D-Ga., and was a founder of the Senate Press Secretaries Association, prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company. Mr. Leonard has served on the boards of Coca-Cola Beverages, Ltd., Toronto, Canada, Special Olympics International, Very Special Arts, Southern Center for International Studies, Atlanta, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

He is a trustee emeritus of the University of Georgia Foundation, a Trustee of the Richard B. Russell Foundation, and a past president of the University of Georgia Alumni Society. He is a former Chairman of the UGA Annual Fund, Board of Visitors, School of Law, Dean’s Advisory Council, School of Journalism and a member of Sphinx, Gridiron, and the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

He is also a member of the National Press Club and the University Club of Washington, DC, and the Public Relations Society of America. In Atlanta, he is a member of the Capital City Club and the Commerce Club.

Mr. Leonard has been appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the Governor’s Commission for a New Georgia. From the results of an annual Graduate Survey, Mr. Leonard has been recognized by the University of Georgia Career Center for his contributions to the career development of UGA students.

He is married to Bebe Brumby Leonard, and they have two children, Elisabeth and Chip, a daughter-in-law, Lori Leonard, and son-in-law, Martin Riffe.