Donald R. Keough is known for shaping the advertising image of one of the world's most iconic companies during his extraordinary tenure at its helm. He retired as president, chief operating officer and a director of the Coca-Cola Company in April 1993, positions that he held since early 1981. His tenure with the company dates back to 1950. In addition, from 1986 to 1993, he served as chairman of the Board of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., the world¿s largest bottling system. From 1985 to 1989, he also served as chairman of Columbia Pictures Inc., before it was sold to Sony Inc.
Keough currently serves on the boards of IAC/InterActive Corp., Global Yankee Holdings, Convera Corporation, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and the Coca-Cola Company, to which he was elected in February 2004. In addition, Keough has served for many years as a member of the boards of McDonald¿s Corporation, The Washington Post Company, H. J. Heinz Company and the Home Depot.
He is chairman emeritus of the board of trustees and a life trustee of the University of Notre Dame. He is a trustee of several other educational, charitable and civic organizations.
Keough has received various honors in his career, including honorary doctorates from the University of Notre Dame; his alma mater Creighton University; Emory University; Clark University; Trinity University in Dublin, Ireland; and University College Dublin, Ireland. The University of Notre Dame¿s highest honor, the Laetare Medal, was presented to Keough in May 1993. Keough was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2002 and was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame in 2003.
Keough is currently chairman of the board of Allen & Company Incorporated, a New York investment-banking firm. He was elected to that position in April 1993.