Michael Faber, CEO of Viking Coca-Cola and several other associated companies, has been elected president of The Coca-Cola Bottlers Association, the national organization that represents all U.S. Coca-Cola bottlers.
Faber, who will serve a two-year term, has been chair of the industry issues committee for the association, which has primary responsibility to work with contractual affairs with the Coca-Cola Co. He also has served two-year terms as treasurer and vice president in the past four years.
“It’s an honor to be appointed,” said Faber, who turns 40 in March. “About 10 years ago, they wanted to get some younger bottlers involved, and I was a part of that younger generation initiative.”
Faber said his duties with the association — which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year — take him to Atlanta, headquarters for both The Coca-Cola Company and the bottlers association, several times per month.
“There are a lot of legal, contractual and industry topics to be involved with,” said Faber, who said he spends about 20 percent of his work time — unpaid — dealing with association issues.
“The relationship between the company and the association is dynamic and multifaceted,” he said. “At times, we’re working together, and other times, we’re sitting across the table from each other negotiating brand contracts. But it’s a special company I believe in.”
Faber has expanded the Faber Family Companies significantly since 1999. His acquisitions include Coca-Cola Bottling of Fergus Falls, Coca-Cola Bottling of Red Wing and Coca-Cola Bottling of River Falls, Wis. He also charted acquisitions of Lenneman Beverages, rebranded as Viking Beverages, and has incorporated Replenishment Solutions, which has launched several regional drinks.
A 1995 St. John’s University graduate with a degree in accounting, Faber worked three years as a CPA for Deloitte & Touche in Denver before joining the family business. His father, Joe Faber, died in 1995 from cancer at 50 years old. Joe’s wife and Michael’s mother, Rose Ann Faber, served as president until her son took over those duties in 2000 — when he was 27.
Michael Faber has served as a route driver, production and warehouse worker and salesman before he became an executive with the Faber Family Companies, all of which are headquartered in St. Cloud and employ more than 225 people in the area. The family holdings include:
Viking Coca-Cola, the seventh-largest U.S. Coke bottler and one of only two lines in Minnesota with local bottle, can and bulk production. It operates 12 facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Viking Beverages, a Coors distributorship serving Central Minnesota.
First Choice Food & Beverage Solutions, a vending company operating with the 12 facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Replenishment Solutions, an innovation company that has invented Armada Coffee, Warrior Energy and Avalanche Ice frozen drinks.
