Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient adds global perspective and more
than 45 years of public service to Board of Directors
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 2, 2012--
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) announced today that Robert M.
Gates, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and current chancellor of the
College of William & Mary, was elected to the Starbucks Board of
Directors. He will serve on the Board’s Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee.
“We are honored and humbled to be adding this distinguished American
leader to Starbucks Board of Directors,” said Howard Schultz, chairman,
president and ceo. “Secretary Gates has devoted his life to serving our
country and our next generation of leaders and public servants. His
unique global perspective and more than four decades of distinguished
public service will complement and strengthen our Board as we accelerate
our global growth and expand our commitment to the communities where we
do business all around the world.”
Secretary Gates served in numerous roles in the Executive Branch of the
U.S. government for nearly half a century, culminating as Secretary of
Defense from 2006 to 2011. He was the first defense secretary to serve
under presidents from both political parties – President George W. Bush
and President Barack Obama. Upon Secretary Gates’ retirement in June
2011, he was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest
honor a president can bestow on a civilian.
In September 2011 he was named the 24th chancellor of the
College of William & Mary. Secretary Gates also served as president of
Texas A&M University between 2002 and 2006. He earned an undergraduate
degree in history from the College of William & Mary, a master’s degree
in history from Indiana University and a doctorate in Russian and Soviet
history from Georgetown University.
In addition to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Secretary Gates is the
recipient of numerous other awards and honors, including recognition as
one of TIME’s Most Influential People in 2007.
“I am deeply honored to have been asked to join Starbucks Board of
Directors,” said Secretary Gates. "Starbucks is a different kind of
company that is recognized around the world not only for its innovative
products, customer service and business success, but more importantly
for its unwavering commitment to a core set of values that put people
and community first. I have Starbucks to thank for keeping me
caffeinated through many long days and nights during my years in
Washington and couldn’t be more proud about the opportunity to play a
part in helping the company navigate our increasingly complex world in
the years ahead.”
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically
sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the
world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier
roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our
unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring
the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer
through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our
stores or online at www.starbucks.com.
Source: Starbucks Coffee Company
Starbucks Coffee Company
Jim Olson, +1-206-318-7100
press@starbucks.com