Ozarks Profile: John E. Schaefer

Tell us about your company.

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has been bottling soft drinks in Springfield for 98 years. In two short years, we will be celebrating our centennial celebration. Our company is owned and managed locally, serving southwest Missouri from four distribution centers Springfield, Bolivar, Lebanon and Rolla. We have the exclusive franchise rights for Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Chippewa, YooHoo and Fuze.

What is your job?

My job duties as president/COO are to assist in the daily activities in producing, distributing and promoting our company, its products and services. Our management team does this through coaching, teaching, assisting, and frankly, sometimes just getting out of the way.

As an affiliate of a large public company, how is your company affected by the economy and the stock market?

We are affected by the economy through consumer confidence and the availability of discretionary dollars. As the consumer tightens his/her entertainment budget (theaters, dining out), we are impacted along with our customers. As gas prices rise, our convenience and petroleum business is negatively impacted. Though considered recession-proof by some, the soft-drink business does reflect the local economy.

What are some of the challenges you face in your work?

Our challenge is to continually change to meet the customers' and consumers' needs. We live and work in a very competitive industry and are challenged daily to serve our customers. Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company's goal is to bring a moment's pleasure to everyone who drinks our products.

What's the best part of your job?

I enjoy the competitiveness of the soft-drink industry. It allows all who work in it the chance to meet so many different people. Our co-workers are wonderful, hard-working individuals. Our customers represent a vast array of different industries grocery stores, convenience/petroleum stores, mega markets, mass merchandisers, restaurants, sporting venues, entertainment, at work, education and more.

Tell us about your family.

My wife, Julie, and I have been married 26 years this June. We have three children: Amanda, 22, is a kindergarten teacher in Mason, Ohio; Tara, 21, will graduate from Ohio University this summer; and Rob, 17, is a junior at Glendale High School.

Did you ever consider another career?

I began my career with Coca-Cola in 1973, working on the route trucks during summers to pay my way through college. After graduation in 1977, I remained a route driver for three years and then rose through the ranks. In 1996, we not only considered a career change, but also pursued it when my wife and I purchased a business in Cincinnati. We sold it in 2000 so I could return to the soft-drink industry and help manage Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company. I love the competitiveness of the soft-drink business, and will finish my career in it. I especially like working for the Rice and Heer family, who have been very gracious and generous in their support.