Driscoll’s says it has added a former Coca-Cola Co. veteran, Wadih J. Khayat, as its chief financial officer. He will report to Driscoll’s CEO Soren Bjorn and will oversee global finance, technology and strategy.
Khayat will work closely with regional and functional leaders to ensure disciplined capital deployment and the long-term success of the company’s global network of independent growers, according to Driscoll’s.
“Wadih joins Driscoll’s at an important moment for our company,” Bjorn says. “As we prepare to launch our next long-term strategic plan, his strategic financial expertise, disciplined execution and caring leadership will strengthen our financial foundation, support our global teams and position us for the future.”
Khayat is a strategic finance executive with global experience and a strong record of delivering results at scale. He joins Driscoll’s from Coca-Cola, where he spent more than two decades leading major finance organizations worldwide. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and CFO for Coca-Cola’s European business, overseeing operations across 38 countries. He previously held senior leadership roles within Coca-Cola, including CFO for the Asia-Pacific Group, as well as CFO and head of strategy for Coca-Cola Global Ventures at the company’s global headquarters in Atlanta.
He began his career in audit at Ernst & Young.
“Driscoll’s has a century-long legacy of exceptional berries, strong partnerships with growers and a deep commitment to the communities where we live and work,” Khayat says. “That legacy drew me to the company, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously. I was especially struck by the strength of the brand, the trust it has earned globally and the unique network of independent growers and teams delivering berries every day. I’m excited about what lies ahead.”
Khayat was born in Lebanon, educated in France and speaks English, French and Arabic fluently. After relocating from Ireland, he is based at Driscoll’s global headquarters in Watsonville, Calif.
