Howard Schultz: Starbucks Founder and CEO April 4, 2011

Starbucks founder and CEO Howard Schultz will discuss his journey with the Seattle coffeehouse turned global java
giant with 17,000 locations in 50 countries. Starbucks has been named one of “America’s Most Admired Companies” by Forbes magazine and Schultz has been widely lauded as one of the nation’s top CEOs.
Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982, when it had just 4 Seattle stores, and directed its transformation into the world’s largest coffeehouse chain. He returned as president and CEO in 2008, to manage the company’s response to the economic downturn, reversing the company’s slide. Schultz is famous for his emphasis on the customer experience, his success in employee satisfaction, and his commitment to quality. He has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s best employers for his innovative practice of providing health care and stock options even to part-time employees. Starbucks also prides itself on being a leader in sustainability and fair-trade practices.