Earl T. Leonard
- Executive-in-Residence
- Former Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs Division, The 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 Grady College 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. 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, the Atlanta and Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta History Center.
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, Grady College of Journalism; and a member of Sphinx, Gridiron, Blue Key, Omnicron Delta Kappa, and the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
He is also a member of the National Press Club, the University Club and International Club, all of Washington, DC. He is a former officer of the Georgia Chapter, Public Relations Society of America. He is a member of the Atlanta Capital City Club and the Ponte Vedra Club at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Mr. Leonard was appointed by former 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 enjoyed 58 years of marriage to his wife, the late Bebe Brumby Leonard. Together, they have two children, Elisabeth and Chip, a daughter-in-law, Lori Leonard, and a son-in-law, Martin Riffe and three grandchildren.