Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Welcomes Joe Storlie to New Role

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, Oct. 28, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Joe Storlie to Senior Manager of Food Service On-Premise (FSOP).

Storlie began his career with Coca-Cola in 1997 as a merchandiser. Over his 28-year tenure, he has held various leadership and management positions, most recently serving as the regional sales manager for Northwest Arkansas. In his new role, he will manage and oversee the organization’s FSOP business unit and team, supporting Ozarks Coca-Cola customers on-site, including restaurants, theme parks, stadiums, universities, hotels, and resorts. Storlie and his family live in Northwest Arkansas and are actively involved in their community.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for 105 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs more than 900 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Welcomes Amanda Harter to New Role

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, Oct. 24, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Amanda “Mandy” Harter, Rolla, to Regional Sales Manager.

Harter has dedicated 10 years to Ozarks. In her new role, she will manage the organization’s Northwest Arkansas sales region. Previous positions include merchandiser, Walmart key account manager, account manager, and, most recently, district sales manager.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for 105 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs more than 900 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Promotes Scott Dangler to New Role

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, JUNE 30, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Scott Dangler to Load Crew Manager at the company’s West Plains branch. Dangler has dedicated 10 years to the organization, previously serving as a mid-shift order builder. Dangler and his family reside in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for 105 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs nearly 900 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Visits Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, June 27, 2025 – On June 26, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe visited the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. During his visit, the Governor learned about the family-owned company’s rich history spanning 105 years and toured the headquarters, where America’s favorite beverages are produced, distributed, and enjoyed throughout the Ozarks. The visit was hosted by Sally Hargis, vice president/chairman, along with Gregory Hargis, general counsel/corporate secretary, and the Ozarks leadership team.

 

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company
Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation family-owned independent bottler. Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, Missouri with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, and West Plains, Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. Ozarks operates seven days a week, producing up to 375,000 cases of product weekly. Its portfolio includes sparkling Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products, hydration, sports, coffee and tea, nutrition, juice, and dairy beverages. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Promotes Paul Mathis to New Role

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, MAY 27, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Paul Mathis to District Sales Manager serving areas of Springfield, Missouri. Mathis has worked as a field sales manager for Ozarks in the Mountain Home, Arkansas area for nearly three years and brings decades of sales, management, and leadership knowledge to his new role. Previous experience has included merchandising and sales positions at PepsiCo and FritoLay.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for over 100 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs more than 850 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Welcomes Tommy Moore to New Role

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, MAY 22, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Tommy Moore, from Bolivar, to the position of regional distribution manager at the organization’s headquarters in Springfield.

For the last 25 years, Moore has served as Ozarks’ Bolivar branch operations manager. In his new role, Moore will manage Springfield delivery and fleet operations in addition to Bolivar operations.

Moore has been employed at Ozarks Coca-Cola for 38 years, having started with the company sorting glass bottles in Bolivar after graduating high school from Halfway. His previous positions include warehouse, delivery, and sales. He is a long-time resident of the Bolivar area, where he lives with his family.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company 

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for over 100 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma and employs close to 900 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Promotes Anthony Miller to New Role

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, MAY 20, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Anthony Miller to Director of Information Technology.

Miller has been employed at Ozarks for seven years. In his new role, he will manage and oversee the organization’s technology infrastructure, systems, and operations, with a focus on ensuring cybersecurity resilience. His previous professional experience includes positions at EFCO Corporation in Monett, Missouri, and Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri. Miller and his family were actively involved in the Fair Grove, Missouri community for several years and now reside in Springfield.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler headquartered in Springfield, Missouri for over 100 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs nearly 900 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Celebrates 105th Anniversary

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, MAY 5, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company celebrated 105 years of refreshing the Ozarks with a ribbon cutting and open house of their new office space and can line.

The new addition consisted of a two-phase project. The 67,750-square-foot manufacturing facility and the first can line for the company were completed in late spring 2024, while the 47,625-square-foot office space was finalized in March. The new can line created 50 jobs at Ozarks and is expected to produce 9.3 million cases in 2025, supplying products to distributors in seven states.

The general contractor for the project was Ross Construction Group LLC. The architect was Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, and engineers included Own Inc., civil; Miller Engineering PC, structural; and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective for mechanical, electric, and plumbing. Interior design provided by Creative Design Consultants. Project financing arranged by U.S. Bank.

“Like many small, family-owned businesses, the Rice family never expected that when they started bottling beverages in Springfield in 1920, their company would develop into what it is today,” says Sally Hargis, vice president, chairman, and a third-generation business owner. “Our growth and success are thanks to our more than 875 associates, who take great pride in their work and the products we create, as well as to our customers and consumers who enjoy 650 varieties of refreshing Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.”

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company

105 years ago, Coca-Cola was just a small part of the company’s soft drink offerings. At that time, the bottled beverage business was thriving and the company experienced tremendous growth. Ozarks changed locations twice and by 1977, moved the Springfield operation to its current headquarters located at 1777 North Packer Road. In 2017, The Coca-Cola Company transitioned to individual franchise ownership of independent bottling operations in North America. This partnership has allowed Ozarks to adapt to regional consumer preferences, expand its business and beverage portfolio, broaden its franchise territory, and, most importantly, enhance the communities where Ozarks employees live and raise their families.

In 1953, Edwin C. “Cookie” Rice joined the family business and served as Chief Executive Officer until May 2023 when Bruce Long was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Long is the fifth to lead the company since it was founded in 1921 and the first non-family member to fill this role.

Today, Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation family-owned independent bottler. Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. Ozarks operates seven days a week, producing up to 375,000 cases of product weekly. Its portfolio includes sparkling Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products, hydration, sports, coffee and tea, nutrition, juice and dairy beverages. The refreshing beverages are available at national chains such as Walmart, Target and Dollar General, local retailers, grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, college campuses, schools, sporting events, theme parks, concerts, festivals, and more.

More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Fayetteville High School Student Named 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar

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Fayetteville High School student named 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar
Nation’s premiere scholarship program awards $20,000 for college

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, FEB. 18, 2025 – Katherine (Kate) Hinton, an exceptional senior at Fayetteville High School, has been recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school leaders by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and has been awarded a $20,000 college scholarship. Hinton plans to attend the University of Arkansas. She is the daughter of Thomas and Emily Hinton and resides in Fayetteville.

As a member of the 37th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, Hinton not only exemplifies superior leadership, service, and academics – she is a change agent, positively affecting others in the community. She is one of 150 selected from 105,000+ applicants from across the country to receive this scholarship.

Coca-Cola Scholars will attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta April 3-6, 2025, where they will be the guests of honor at the 37th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. Collectively, the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation will award $3.1 million in college scholarships to these outstanding young leaders.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is a collaborative initiative involving Coca-Cola bottlers across the country, including the local bottler Ozarks Coca-Cola in Springfield, Missouri, and The Coca-Cola Company. It is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2025 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have awarded scholarships to
more than 7,050 Coke Scholars nationwide, totaling over $87 million in scholarships over the past 37 years.

“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”

In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing community of alumni that has become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a podcast called The SIP (The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast) and the ninth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.

Coke Scholars

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. With its 37th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has provided more than $87 million in scholarships to over 7,050 program alumni who together have become a powerful force for positive change. Learn more at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for 105 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs more than 850 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at  www.cocacolaozarks.com.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company Announces New Leadership Roles at Northwest Arkansas Branch

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, FEB. 4, 2025 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company announces new leadership roles at its Northwest Arkansas branch located in Lowell.


James Baumgardner has moved into the position of account executive II, Walmart and Sam’s Club lead. He has worked for Coca-Cola for 14 years. Other positions have included route driver, merchandising supervisor, account manager, and senior district sales manager. Baumgardner and his family live in Prairie Grove.


Greg Thomas has been named district sales manager. Thomas has worked for Coca-Cola for eight years as a merchandiser, Walmart account manager, and relief account manager. He served six years in the Army National Guard, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thomas and his family live in Rogers.


Sam Hulsey has been promoted to merchandising manager. She began her career at Ozarks Coca-Cola in 2021. Previous roles have included merchandiser and merchandiser supervisor. Before joining Ozarks, she managed two automotive parts businesses. Hunsley and her family reside in Huntsville.

About Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for over 100 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Joplin, Rolla, West Plains, and Northwest Arkansas. The company distributes over 650 Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper products across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and employs more than 850 associates. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is available at www.cocacolaozarks.com.