Brock Forum on Authentic Christian Leadership 2024

Panel discussion with local business leaders and Mark Whitacre, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
3pm - Sanderson 215 (open to the public)

Guest panelists:

Reception at Mountain City Club

5:30pm - Invitation Only

Hors D'oeuvres Will Be Served  | Cash Bar Will Be Available

Guest Speaker Bios

J. Frank Harrison III
Chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. 
J. Frank Harrison III officially began his career with Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. in 1977, but his roots in the Coca-Cola system date back to 1902, when his great-grandfather, J.B. Harrison, first introduced Coca-Cola to the Carolinas. Frank graduated from the Baylor School in Chattanooga before earning a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina and an MBA from Duke University. He began working for Coca-Cola Consolidated right out of college, serving in a number of entry-level positions including running routes and operating bottling lines. He went on to hold a number of operational and leadership roles across the company before being appointed Chairman and CEO in 1996.

As the fourth-generation family leader of what has become the nation’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, Frank is focused on creating a culture of servant leaders whose values and actions honor God. Coca-Cola Consolidated is a public company that desires to grow profitably while making a positive difference in the lives of over 17,000 employees and the communities they serve. Much of Frank’s leadership philosophy is captured in his 2022 book, The Transformation Factor. 

In 2008, Frank and his late son, James Franklin Harrison IV, co-founded Open Eyes, a public, non-profit ministry dedicated to equipping leaders throughout the world who serve those in need, share the message of Jesus Christ, and disciple believers. Frank has personally led multiple teams to the war-torn country of Sudan—just one of the countries where Open Eyes is currently focusing its efforts. 

Frank has served on numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards, including the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association, the American Beverage Association, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, to name a few. He lives in Charlotte, NC, but also enjoys spending time on his farm outside of Charlotte with his wife of 45 years, Jan, their three married daughters, and their nine grandchildren.

Mark Whitacre, Ph.D.
VP of Culture and Care, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
Mark Whitacre is Vice President of Culture & Care and Executive Director of the t-factor initiative at Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., where he has worked since 2019. Mark served as National Director and then COO of Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) from 2013 to 2019. Before that, he served as the COO and Chief Science Officer from 2006 to 2013 at Cypress Systems, Inc., a California faith-based biotechnology company where Mark still serves on the advisory council.  

After completing his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Ohio State University, Mark earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Cornell University. He worked as an executive for several Fortune 500 companies, including Ralston Purina (now Nestle), Degussa (now Evonik), and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). He was recruited to ADM when he was 32 as the President of the Biotech Division. 

While at ADM, Mark became the highest-ranking US corporate executive ever to turn whistleblower. He wore a wire for the FBI for three years, exposing a price-fixing scandal that led to the incarceration of several ADM executives. His story became the subject of the 2009 motion picture The Informant! in which Mark was played by Matt Damon. Mark and his wife Ginger have been married for 44 years and have three adult children.

Guest Panelist Bios

Teresa Whitton, CFP, CTFA
President, Southeastern Trust Company
Teresa Whitton joined Southeastern Trust in April 2012. Prior to Southeastern Trust, she spent twenty years in Personal Trust and Trust Real Estate at SunTrust Bank, including managing a trust team in Chattanooga. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and the ABA National Graduate Trust School. Ms. Whitton has extensive experience in Special Needs Trusts and Trust Real Estate.

Rodney Woods, Ph.D. 
VP and Chief Clinical Engineer, BCBST
Dr. Rodney Woods began as Director of IT at Four Seasons Environmental Group before transitioning to BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee where he held various positions in strategic planning which led to his current role as Vice President and Chief Clinical Engineer. During this progression, he also served as president and CEO of Riverbend Government Benefits Administrator. Dr. Woods holds degrees in mathematics, theological studies, and electrical and electronics engineering and completed his doctorate in 2021 in strategic leadership at Regent University.

Bruce Zeiser
Vice-Chairman of the Board, Southern Champion Tray
Bruce Zeiser is a native of Signal Mountain, Tennessee. His education includes a Business Management degree from Tennessee Tech. Bruce has been employed at Southern Champion Tray since 1986. A third generation family-owned company, SCT has been manufacturing quality paperboard packaging products for over 85 years. Bruce’s career focus has been Human Resources, Culture, and Leadership Development. Bruce currently serves on the boards of The Generosity Trust, Bible in the Schools, and The House Campus Ministry at UTC. He is married to Regina and they have two adult children.