So Proud of My Husband…

It has been almost a year and a half now since we navigated through the last Coke reorganization.  There is always so much uncertainty in any decision you make, but leaving behind Colorado, friends/family and the only life Mike and I had known together was a GINORMOUS leap of faith. 

I closed down my career, a move I was willing and ready to make, to become to me something far more pivotal; a mentor, educator, nurturer and guide to our son and any future children we would have. 

Mike took on the heavy role of the primary out of the home worker and income generator. 

It was a huge leap of faith, yet it was not as we both believed in his talent and his career.  Almost instantly, the market team here in Seattle saw Mike’s talent and has had him covering and assisting in jobs as people were moved around. Throughout this time he has maintained his MBA studies and continued to have time for his family. 

I am so proud of my husband and how our family together has been supporting his career so he can in turn support our family.   It is always nice when it all starts to fall into place!  Below is an announcement on the next step in his career that was sent out to the company.

Please join me in congratulating Mike Laschen as the new Director of Large Store Channel Planning & Development for the Northwest Region.  In his new role, Mike will be responsible for Large Store Commercial support, including Channel strategic planning, POS & Equipment budgets and the Look of Success.  Mike will work closely with the Large Store Region Sales teams, including Vince Mazzola and Key Accounts as well as the Market Unit Directors and their teams.  His new responsibilities will also include collaborative inclusion with our Independent Bottlers and other national and region functions like PAC, Sales Capability, Customer Care and Region Marketing to ensure we optimize our large store efforts across the entire region. 

Mike has over 8 years with the Coca-Cola system and has already experienced a wide variety of responsibilities. This strong and varied background led him to be very successful as the Small Store Director over the past year and a half and we have every confidence he will continue this record of high achievement in his new role. Mike has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of North Dakota and is targeted to achieve his MBA from Regis University, with an emphasis in Marketing and Strategic Management, by the end of the year.

Mike, his wife Stacey, their son Thomas and their new baby girl, Elin, are currently living in Seattle. Mike enjoys riding his bike into work on occasional sunny days as well as training for triathlons. He also likes to go skiing, fly fishing and spending quality time with his family.

We are very excited about Mike’s decision to transition into the Director of Large Store Channel Planning & Development position.  He brings years of experience, demonstrated leadership, and extensive knowledge and professionalism that will make him very successful. Mike will officially take over his new responsibilities on August 11, 2012. Please join me in congratulating Mike on this promotion and his new role on the team.

Regards,

Tom T.

VP, Region Commercialization