Head of Coca-Cola unit leaving to take top job elsewhere

<p>The Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest beverage maker, said Wednesday that Donald Knauss, the head of its key North America division, is leaving the company to take a CEO job at a company it did not disclose.</p><p>Atlanta-based Coca-Cola said it has named J. Alexander M. "Sandy" Douglas Jr. president of Coca-Cola North America to replace Knauss.</p><p>Douglas had been senior vice president and chief customer officer for the company.</p><p>Knauss has accepted a role as chairman and chief executive officer at a major company outside the Coca-Cola system, Coca-Cola said without identifying the company.</p><p>Knauss has headed Coca-Cola North America for 2 1/2 years. He joined the company in 1994.</p><p>Douglas joined Coca-Cola in 1988.</p>