Consulting Agreement between The Coca-Cola Company and Bradley M. Gayton, dated April 20, 2021

EXHIBIT 10.1

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (this ‘Agreement’) made and entered into effective as of April 20, 2021 (the ‘Effective Date’), by and between The Coca-Cola Company, a Delaware corporation (the ‘Company’) and Bradley Gayton (‘Consultant’). In consideration of the premises, release and the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the Company and the Consultant (the ‘parties’), intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

If to The Coca-Cola Company, addressed to:

The Coca-Cola Company

One Coca-Cola Plaza

Atlanta, Georgia 30313

With a copy to:

Ms. Jennifer Manning

The Coca-Cola Company

One Coca-Cola Plaza

Atlanta, Georgia 30313

If to Consultant, addressed to:

Bradley Gayton

[Address on file]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Consultant have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first above written. 

[Signature page to Consulting Agreement]

APPENDIX I

FULL AND COMPLETE RELEASE

AND AGREEMENT

ON TRADE SECRETS AND CONFIDENTIALITY

(this “Release Agreement”)

1.           Release. In consideration of the payments and covenants under the Agreement to which this Appendix I is attached and made a part thereof, and for other good and valuable consideration, I, for myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, do hereby knowingly, voluntarily and unconditionally release, hold harmless and forever discharge The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”), and its subsidiaries, affiliates, joint ventures, joint venture partners, predecessors, successors and benefit plans (collectively with TCCC referred to herein as the “Company”), and their respective current and former directors, officers, administrators, trustees, fiduciaries, insurers, employees, agents, and other representatives, (collectively with the Company referred to herein as the “Releasees”) from all debts, claims, actions, causes of action (including without limitation claims arising from or in connection with my employment, pay, bonuses, vacation or any other benefits, and/or other terms and conditions of employment or employment practices of Company; claims arising out of or relating to the termination of my employment with the Company or the surrounding circumstances thereof; and any causes of action that I may have under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 et seq.; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2101 et seq.; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; and those federal, state, local, and foreign laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on age, sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected trait or characteristic, or retaliation for engaging in any protected activity, including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq. (the “ADEA”), as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, P.L. 101-433 (the “OWBPA”); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 9 U.S.C. §§ 206, et seq.; Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981; the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981a; the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §§ 791 et seq.; the Family Medical Leave Act; Federal Executive Order 11246, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; and comparable state, local, and foreign causes of action, whether statutory or common law, including but not limited to all claims related to wrongful discharge, negligence, defamation, tort and contract), suits, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, covenants, contracts, claims for costs or attorneys’ fees, controversies, agreements, promises, and all liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, at law, in equity, or otherwise, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, fixed or contingent, which I (or my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) ever had, now have, or may have based on facts or events that occur on or prior to the date that I execute this Full and Complete Release on Trade Secrets and Confidentiality (this “Release”).

Further, I expressly waive any and all rights that I have under any state or local statute, executive order, regulation, common law and/or public policy relating to known and unknown claims based on facts or events occurring on or prior to the date that I execute this Release, including but not limited to the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (N.J. Sta. Ann. 34:19-1, et seq.); the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J. Stat. Ann. 10:5-1, et seq.); the New Jersey Family Leave Act; the New Jersey Wage Payment Law; Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act (Mass. G.L. 151B); West Virginia Human Rights Act; South Dakota Codified Laws Section 20-7-11; North Dakota Century Code Section 9-13-02; and Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, the latter of which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.” I understand that I am referred to in this statute as the “creditor” and the Company or other Releasees are referred to as the “debtor.” I consciously intend these consequences even as to claims for damages that may exist as of the date I execute this Release that I do not know exist, and which, if known, would materially affect my decision to execute this Release, regardless of whether the lack of knowledge is the result of ignorance, oversight, error, negligence or any other cause.

I fully understand and agree that:

If I choose to revoke the OWBPA Release, I must do so by notifying the Company in writing within the applicable revocation period. This notification must be mailed either first class or certified mail to Executive Services:  The Coca-Cola Company, One Coca-Cola Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia 30313.

Notwithstanding any other provision or paragraph of this Release Agreement, I understand that by signing this Release Agreement I do not hereby waive any rights or claims:  (a) for unemployment or workers’ compensation, (b) that arise after I sign this Release Agreement, (c) pertaining to vested benefits under any retirement plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), (d) for payments that may be due under the Agreement, (e) for which private waivers or releases are prohibited by applicable law, and (f) for indemnification under the Company’s bylaws or the bylaws of any Company subsidiary, or under statute or any insurance or other indemnification policies, including the Company’s Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy, in respect of my service as an employee of the Company. In addition, I understand that nothing in this Release Agreement shall be construed to prevent me from filing or participating in a charge of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) or any similar state or local agency, or a charge with the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB”) or any other governmental agency, but I hereby waive any rights to any relief of any kind should the EEOC pursue any claim on my behalf. I further understand that this Paragraph 1 is not intended to restrict or limit in any way the Protected Rights set forth below in Paragraph 7 of this Release Agreement. However, by signing this Release Agreement, I waive the right to recover any monetary damages for any alleged injury (whether physical or emotional) personally suffered by me, individual relief, or attorneys’ fees from the Company or the Releasees in any claim, charge, or lawsuit filed by me or any other person or entity. If there is any claim for loss of consortium, or any other similar claim, arising out of or related to my employment or separation of employment with the Company, I will indemnify and hold Releasees harmless from any liability, including costs and expenses (as well as reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Releasees as a result of any such claim. I acknowledge and represent that: (a) I received all compensation due to me as a result of services performed for the Company with receipt of my final paycheck; (b) I have reported to the Company any and all work-related injuries incurred by me during my employment by the Company; (c) I have not engaged in any act or omission in violation of the Company’s Code of

Business Conduct (the “COBC”); (d) I am not aware of any act, failure to act, practice, policy, or activity that I believe may violate the COBC; (v) no one has interfered with my ability to report to the Company any possible violations of the COBC or any law; and (vi) I have reported to the Company any actual or suspected Code violations. I additionally understand and agree that this Release is not and shall not be construed to be an admission of liability of any kind on the part any of the Releasees.

2.           Future Cooperation. I covenant and agree that I shall, to the extent reasonably requested by the Company, cooperate with and serve in any capacity requested by the Company in any investigation and/or threatened or pending litigation (now or in the future and including any arbitration or proceeding before any authority) in which the Company and any of its current or former officers, employees, representatives or agents are a party, and regarding which I, by virtue of my employment or other engagement with the Company, have knowledge or information relevant to said matter, including, but not limited to (a) meeting with representatives of the Company to provide truthful information regarding my knowledge, (b) acting as the Company’s representative, (c) providing, in any jurisdiction in which the Company requests, truthful testimony relevant to said litigation, and (d) providing assistance with respect to any settlement discussion and/or proceedings before any administrative, regulatory, judicial, legislative or other body or agency, provided the Company reimburses me for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation. I understand that this Paragraph 2 is not intended to restrict or limit in any way the Protected Rights set forth in Paragraph 7 of this Release Agreement.

3.           Trade Secrets and Confidential Information.

4.           Return of Materials. I further covenant and agree that I have or shall promptly deliver to the Company all memoranda, notes, records, manuals, or other documents, including all copies of such materials and all documentation prepared or produced in connection therewith, containing Trade Secrets or Confidential Information regarding the Company’s business, whether made or compiled by me or furnished to me by virtue of my employment with the Company. I shall promptly deliver to the Company all vehicles, computers, credit cards, telephones, hand-held electronic devices, office equipment, and other property furnished to me by virtue of my employment with the Company.

5.           No Publicity. I will not publish or post any opinion, fact, or material, deliver any lecture or address, participate in the making of any film, radio broadcast, television, internet, podcast, social media or other similar transmission, or communicate with any representative of the media relating to the business or affairs of the Company, past, present or future, except (subject at all times to my obligations under Paragraph 6 of this Release Agreement) with respect to any project (other than any litigation project) or initiative that was, prior to the date of this Agreement, released into the public domain though lawful means, for which I was responsible or otherwise directly supervised. I understand that nothing in this Release Agreement: (a) is intended in any way to restrict or limit the Protected Rights set forth in Paragraph 7 of this Release Agreement or to intimidate, coerce, deter, persuade, or compensate me with respect to providing, withholding, or restricting any communication whatsoever to the extent prohibited by law; (b) shall prevent me from filing an administrative charge with the EEOC or participating in an investigation or proceeding by the EEOC or any other governmental agency; or (c) shall prevent me from providing testimony or evidence if I am subpoenaed or ordered by a court or other governmental authority to do so.

6.           Non-Disparagement. I agree that I will not make any public statement, written or verbal, in any forum or to the media or take any action in disparagement of the Releasees, including but not limited to negative references to the Company or its products, services, corporate policies, or current or former directors, officers or employees, Customers (as defined below), suppliers, or business partners or associates, or any statements in any manner reasonably likely to be harmful to the business, business reputation or personal reputation as it is related to my knowledge about any of the foregoing in relationship to the Releasees. I understand that this Paragraph 6 is not intended to restrict or limit in any way the Protected Rights set forth in Paragraph 7 of this Release Agreement. The Company also agrees that it will provide an irrevocable instruction to the individuals who constitute existing “named executive officers” (as defined under Item 402 of Regulation S-K), in their capacity as the same, and to members of the Company’s Board of Directors not to publicly disparage me in any manner likely to be harmful to my personal or business reputation; provided that such individuals may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process or otherwise make accurate statements in connection with any investigations or audits or in the good-faith performance of such executive officers’ duties or obligations to the Company.

7.           Protected Rights. I understand that nothing in this Release Agreement is intended to limit my ability to make disclosures to, or initiate or participate in communications with, the EEOC, the NLRB, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission (including Pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”) or to respond truthfully in response to valid legal process. I further understand that I do not need to notify the Company or seek the Company’s prior authorization before making such disclosures or engaging in such communications.

8.           Inventions, Discoveries and Authorship. I agree to and do hereby assign to the Company, without charge, all my rights, title, and interest in and to any and all inventions and discoveries that I have made or may make, solely or jointly with others, while in the employ of the Company, that (a) relate to or are useful to or may be useful in connection with business of the nature, type or character carried on or contemplated by the Company, or (b) were or are made using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information and all my rights, title, and interest in and to any and all Patent Properties (as defined below); and upon request of the Company, whether during or subsequent to my employment with the Company, I will do any and all acts and execute and deliver such instruments as may be deemed by the Company necessary or proper to vest all my rights, title, and interest in and to said inventions, discoveries, and Patent Properties and to secure or maintain such Patent Properties. For the purpose of this Release Agreement, “Patent Properties” shall mean any and all domestic and

foreign (i) applications for utility patents, design patents or industrial designs, petty patents, utility models, or Gebrauchsmuster, as well as any divisions, continuations, or other application claiming the priority of any of the above and covering such inventions and discoveries; (ii) utility patents, design patents or industrial designs, petty patents, utility models, or Gebrauchsmuster granted for such inventions and discoveries; and (iii) reissues, extensions and revivals of any of the above. All necessary and proper expenses in connection with the foregoing will be borne by the Company, and, if I perform services in connection therewith at the Company’s request after termination of my employment with the Company, the Company will pay reasonable compensation for such services. Any inventions and discoveries relating to the Company’s business made or conceived by me within one year after termination of my employment with the Company will be deemed to be within this provision, unless I can prove that such conception or invention is not based upon or related to any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets, as defined herein, of which I became aware during and pursuant to my employment with the Company. I also assign to the Company, without charge, all my rights, title, and interest in and to all original works of authorship fixed in any tangible form or medium or expression that have been or are prepared by me, solely or jointly with others, within the scope of my employment with the Company. In addition, the Company and I hereby agree that any such original work of authorship that qualifies as a “work made for hire” under the U.S. copyright laws will be a “work made for hire” and will be owned by the Company as to contract formation, interpretation and construction issues, and by the federal patent and copyright laws of the United States as to potential copyright issues.

9.           Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. I agree that for two years after my employment with the Company ends for any reason whatsoever, I will not, directly or indirectly, except with the prior written consent of the Company: (a) enter into or maintain an employment, contractual, or other relationship to perform the Prohibited Activities (as defined below) in the Territory (as defined below) for or on behalf of any person or business entity that competes with the Business of the Company (as defined below); (b) enter into or maintain an employment, contractual, or other relationship to perform the Prohibited Activities (as defined below) in any geographic area in which the Company did business during my employment, for or on behalf of any Customer (as defined below) of the Company with whom I had material contact during my employment with the Company; (c) enter into or maintain an employment, contractual, or other relationship to perform the Prohibited Activities (as defined below) in any geographic area that the Company did business during my employment, for or on behalf of any company listed in Attachment B to this Release Agreement; (d) solicit or encourage, or attempt to solicit or encourage, directly or by assisting others, any Customer (as defined below) to do business with any person or entity that competes with the Business of the Company (as defined below) for purposes of providing products or services that are competitive with those provided by the Company, whether or not the relationship between the Company and such Customer (as defined below) was originally established in whole or in part through my efforts, if the Customer solicited is one with which I had material contact on the Company’s behalf during my employment with the Company; and/or (e) solicit or encourage, or attempt to solicit or encourage, any person who is an employee of the Company, or who was an employee of the Company at any time during my employment with the Company, and with whom I had contact during my employment with the Company, to terminate his or her employment with the Company or to accept employment with any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to restrict my ability to become a lawyer for or provide legal services to outside law firms or companies (other than the Competitors listed on Attachment B) with which I engaged in my capacity as Senior Vice President, Global General Counsel, during my employment with the Company.

10.           Representations; Covenant Not to Sue. I hereby represent and affirm that I have not filed any lawsuit, charge, claim or complaint with any Governmental Agencies or in any court against the Releasees. To the extent that any claims covered by the scope of this Release Agreement are not subject to waiver by this Agreement under applicable law, I hereby covenant and agree not to sue or otherwise seek any remedy or other form of relief against any of the Releasees relating to such claims.

11.           Definitions. For purposes of this Release Agreement:

(a)           “Business of the Company” means the development, production, marketing, sale and distribution of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, beverage enhancers and related services or similar activities conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company within two years before the termination of my employment.

(b)           “Customer” means anyone who is or was a customer of the Company during my employment with the Company, or is a prospective customer of the Company to whom the Company has made a presentation (or similar offering of services) within the one-year period immediately preceding the termination of my employment with the Company.

(c)           “OWBPA Release” means the release of all claims as set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Release Agreement under the ADEA, as amended by the OWBPA.

(d)           products or services that are competitive with those provided by the Company means products or services that are non-alcoholic beverages, beverage enhancers and related services of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Company within two years prior to the termination of my employment.

(e)           “Prohibited Activities” means the involvement in, development of, or oversight of legal, security, compliance, and governance matters or strategies.

(f)           “Prohibited Activities Covenants” means those covenants, individually and collectively, set forth in Paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 of this Release Agreement.

(g)           “Territory” means the geography described on Attachment A to this Release Agreement.

12.          Governing Law; Forum. I hereby agree that this Release Agreement, and the rights and obligations established herein, shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, irrespective of its choice-of-law rules; provided, however, that Paragraph 8 of this Release Agreement (Inventions, Discoveries and Authorship) is to be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the patent and copyright laws of the United States. I further agree that any litigation regarding this Release Agreement or the claims released herein that is not subject to the arbitration provisions set forth in Paragraph 13 of this Release Agreement shall be conducted in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Georgia, and I hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.

13.          Arbitration and Class Action Waiver. I understand and agree that, in the event that there is any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release Agreement, including any release of claims set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Release Agreement, my employment by the Company, my promises or duties owed to the Company or the Company’s promises or duties owed to me, including, without limitation, a dispute about the validity, enforceability, or coverage of this Release Agreement or the assertion of a claim covered by this Release Agreement, all such disputes or claims will be resolved exclusively through a final and binding arbitration on an individual basis only, and not in any form of class, collective, or private attorney general representative proceeding (the “Class Action Waiver”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Paragraph 13 shall not apply to any action seeking injunctive relief arising out of or relating to Paragraph 3 of this Release Agreement (Trade Secrets and Confidential Information), Paragraph 8 of this Release Agreement (Inventions, Discoveries and Authorship), and/or Paragraph 9 of this Release Agreement (Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation). This binding-arbitration provision is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.) and is not intended to cover claims that cannot by controlling law be required to be arbitrated, nor does it prevent the filing of a complaint with a governmental administrative agency to the extent that such complaints are permitted, notwithstanding an agreement to arbitrate.  Such complaints include, without limitation, those filed with the NLRB, EEOC, and/or the U.S. Department of Labor. I understand and agree that any arbitration proceeding initiated under this Release Agreement will be governed by the American Arbitration Association’s Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures (the “AAA Employment Rules”) and that no other rules or procedures (including AAA’s Supplementary Rules for Class Arbitrations) are to be applied to any such proceeding.  The AAA Employment Rules, which include an explanation of the process for commencing an arbitration and other rules governing an arbitration, may be found at the AAA’s web site, www.adr.org, or by searching for “AAA employment arbitration rules” using an internet search engine such as Google.com.  In all cases where required by law, the Company will pay the AAA administrative fees, as well as the arbitrator’s fees and expenses.  I understand and agree that I am responsible to pay my own legal fees and expenses associated with any arbitration proceeding, subject to the arbitrator’s authority to award attorney fees, costs or other remedies in accordance with applicable law.  A party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction (i.e., a state court or the United States District Court for the District in which the facility location to which I was last assigned by the Company is located) for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in connection with an arbitrable controversy, but only upon the ground that the award to which that party may be entitled may be rendered ineffectual without such provisional relief.  Notwithstanding any other clause contained in this Release Agreement or the AAA Employment Rules, any claim that all or part of the Class Action Waiver is invalid, unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable may be determined only by a court of competent jurisdiction and not by an arbitrator.  All other issues raised by the dispute between the Company and myself, including without limitation a request for permanent injunctive relief and enforceability of the Release, shall be determined by the arbitrator.

14.          General Provisions.

15.          Acknowledgment.

[Signature page follows]

ATTACHMENT A

1.         The following States of the United States:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

2.         The following Territories of the United States:

American Samoa, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands.

3.         Canada and Mexico.

4.         South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia and Oceana.

ATTACHMENT B

(Competitors for purposes of Paragraph 9(c))

Prohibited Competitors:

PepsiCo., Inc.

Nestlé

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

Groupe Danone

Kraft Foods Inc.

Unilever

Cott Corporation

Starbucks