Republic Services Adds Coca‑Cola FEMSA CEO Ian Craig to Board to Boost Sustainability, Digital

New board addition signals strategic push

Coca‑Cola FEMSA chief Ian Craig joins Republic Services’ board in a move the waste‑services company frames as strengthening its sustainability and digital capabilities. Craig, 53, is appointed to bring international operational experience to Republic as it advances circularity and companywide decarbonization goals, the Phoenix‑based firm says.

Coca‑Cola FEMSA chief’s sustainability record shapes role at Republic

Republic Services names Ian Craig to its 13‑member board, increasing independent directors to 12, and signals a focus on scaling sustainability programs and digital transformation. Craig, who becomes a director while serving as CEO of Coca‑Cola FEMSA — Latin America’s largest bottler operating in 10 countries with about $16 billion in annual revenue — is credited with accelerating renewable energy adoption in plants and launching plastic bottle collection initiatives since taking the top role in 2023.

The company highlights Craig’s track record in combining operational execution with sustainability and technology. Republic officials say his leadership across markets, plus experience leading more than $7 billion in mergers and acquisitions in Latin America, aligns with its push to enhance customer partnerships, build digital platforms and deploy AI‑enabled capabilities to improve recycling, routing and emissions measurement.

Board views and strategic fit

Manny Kadre, Republic’s chairman, describes Craig as bringing “exceptional international business experience and operational excellence” that fits the company’s environmental stewardship aims. Michael Larson, chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, adds Craig’s experience driving growth in complex markets and his focus on sustainability and digital platforms are expected to advance Republic’s strategic priorities.

Operational scope and governance context

Republic Services continues to position itself as a leader in environmental services, providing recycling, solid waste, special and hazardous waste and field services across the U.S. and beyond while emphasizing circularity and emissions reductions as core strategic objectives.

Background on the new director

Craig holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, a master’s in international commercial law and a bachelor’s in industrial and systems engineering from Mexico’s Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, underscoring the combination of financial, legal and engineering credentials Republic cites as complementary to its board.