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Lenexa, Kansas-based Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. has hired former Payless ShoeSource lawyer Ramona Palmer-Eason as general counsel.

The role was previously held by Shellie Clausen, who was promoted to vice president and general manager of hometown operations in March.

Palmer-Eason said the opportunity to be Heartland Coca Cola's general counsel was a trifecta.

"First, I was impressed with the company's commitment to excellence. Second, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the iconic Coca-Cola brand. Third, I was impressed with Heartland's commitment to serving the communities where we operate and how the company genuinely strives to live out their values," she said.

Most recently, Palmer-Eason spent two years as a partner at Kansas City, Missouri-based based Armstrong Teasdale. Prior to that, she spent nearly two decades with Payless ShoeSource, most recently as group general counsel. The shoe-retailing chain went out of business in 2019.

In her new role, Palmer-Eason will be responsible for all of Heartland's legal affairs, including corporate governance, commercial contracts, litigation, compliance and labor and employment.