Coca-Cola Was in Talks with Jack Welch for Chief Executive Job, Reports FORTUNE; Exclusive Report Says Former GE CEO Seriously Considered the Position.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2004

According to according to
prep.
1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.

2. In keeping with: according to instructions.

3. FORTUNE magazine, GE chief Jack Welch For the illustrator named Jack Welch, see Jack Welch (illustrator)

John Francis "Jack" Welch, Jr. (born on November 19 1935 (age 73) was in talks with Coca-Cola to be their new chief executive and seriously considered taking the position. The talks began just as E. Neville Isdell Edward Neville Isdell (born June 8, 1943 in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland) is an Irish businessman, current CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

Isdell moved to Zambia at the age of ten, and joined the Coca-Cola Company in 1966 with the local bottling company there. was on tap to get an offer from Coke's search committee, and ended the day before Coke named Isdell to the position.

FORTUNE's full report on Coke's talks with Welch Welch , William Henry 1850-1934.

American pathologist and bacteriologist who discovered the bacteria that causes gas gangrene. is immediately available at www.fortune.com.

The talks, reports FORTUNE, began April 24 at Welch's wedding to Suzy Wetlaufer and took place via telephone while Welch was on his honeymoon. Welch told the search committee that he would only stay a short time in the position, but Coke was confident that it would be enough time for Welch to get things into shape and draw up a succession plan.

On May 3, a day before Coke announced Isdell as the new CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Jack Welch ended the talks telling the search committee he was having too much fun with new wife Wetlaufer and the book they are writing, and that a return to the CEO world just wasn't for him.

Welch declined to comment.

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Publication:	Business Wire
Date:	May 5, 2004
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