ATLANTA — Bradley M. Gayton has been named senior vice president and general counsel for the Coca-Cola Co., effective Sept. 1. He succeeds Bernhard Goepelt, who retired from the role in February.

Mr. Gayton joins Coca-Cola after nearly 30 years at Ford Motor Co., where he most recently was group vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel since 2016. He was responsible for sustainability, environment and safety engineering; corporate services; global shared service center operations; security; and Ford Land, which manages company facilities and real estate.

Mr. Gayton joined Ford in 1991 as an attorney and advanced through roles of greater responsibility, including director of global trade taxation and customs; assistant tax officer and director of tax operations; assistant general counsel and assistant corporate secretary; assistant general counsel and corporate secretary; and group vice president, general counsel.

“Bradley brings a remarkable breadth of experience and business knowledge,” said James Quincey, chairman and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola. “He’s had an outstanding career at Ford, and his global perspective will be very valuable as a new member of the executive leadership team at Coca-Cola.”