Donald Keough's Major Accomplishments

Everyone loves a good underdog; someone they can cheer for, someone that has countless obstacles in their way. Somehow, some way, most underdogs rise to the occasion and surprise those that believed failure was inevitable. In most situations, an underdog’s background shapes their life and their future, unless they take the initiative to escape the reality they live.

Born in 1926 to Leo and Veronica Keough, Donald Keough was introduced to a world where hard work and determination were the key to success. Coming from a long line of Irish immigrants, commitment to family and community were instilled in Donald from the get go. During the Great Depression, Keough’s father was hit hard, the entire family lost every penny they had to their name. In hopes of starting over, Leo moved his family as he sought out job opportunities. Raised in Iowa, Donald and his three older brothers worked day and night in the

One of his major accomplishments can be recognized during the “cola wars” of the 80’s. Between the countless marketing strategies conducted by other beverage companies, and the release of the “new coke”, which created an American uproar, Keough was able to steer Coca-Cola into success. Although there were many difficulties, Keough was determined to keep the company on the right track, which he explains in his statement: “It is like a perpetual marriage, you get along to go along, you have difficulties, spats, but you have to sit down and say we are going to work this out” (Whalen and O’Dowd). At times I feel star struck thinking about the life and work of my grandfather, and he always made the time to sit down and have certain “talks” with his grandchildren. His words and insight would inspire us with hope about what we can accomplish with hard work, and would give us the perfect amount of push so that in hopes we will one day we could be as or more successful as