Howard Schultz

Howard D. Schultz, born on July 19, 1953, is a prominent American entrepreneur and author, best known for his transformative role at Starbucks. He began his journey with the company in 1982, later leaving to establish Il Giornale, a specialty coffee shop that would eventually merge with Starbucks in the late 1980s. Under Schultz's leadership, Starbucks expanded its footprint significantly, becoming the largest coffee-house chain globally and influencing coffee culture across the United States and beyond.

Schultz's tenure at Starbucks was marked by remarkable achievements, including taking the company public in 1992, which allowed for a rapid increase in store count amid the highly publicized coffee wars. His visionary approach earned him the title of the 'Ray Kroc of his generation.' After stepping down as CEO in 2000, he returned during the 2008 financial crisis to lead a major restructuring, which included the closure of numerous stores and the introduction of innovative programs like a national loyalty initiative.

In addition to his business acumen, Schultz has authored four books on business and has been an outspoken advocate for various social issues. He has publicly considered running for the U.S. presidency in 2012, 2016, and 2020 as an independent candidate, although he ultimately chose not to enter the race. His political stance is characterized by socially liberal views and moderate fiscal policies, alongside a commitment to American-led international affairs.

Schultz's influence extends beyond coffee; he owned the Seattle SuperSonics basketball team from 2001 to 2006 and founded the Schultz Family Foundation, which focuses on supporting military veterans and addressing youth unemployment. As of October 2020, he was recognized as the 209th-richest person in the U.S. with a net worth of four billion two hundred million dollars.

In March 2022, Schultz returned as interim CEO of Starbucks, succeeding Kevin Johnson, and announced his early departure from the role in March 2023, paving the way for Laxman Narasimhan to take over.