Starbucks names new President and COO

Starbucks has announced it has appointed Kevin Johnson as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 March. Johnson will lead the company’s global operating businesses across the Americas, Europe, Middle East,  Africa, and China/Asia Pacific, as well as Starbucks supply chain, information technology, and mobile and digital platforms. Johnson will replace Troy Alstead who has been with the company for 23 years. Earlier this month, Starbucks announced that Alstead would be taking a sabbatical beginning 1 March in order to spend more time with his family. “I am honoured that Kevin is joining Starbucks in this capacity, particularly at this important time for our company, and I am looking forward to working with him and our strongest management team in the company’s 44-year history,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman, President and CEO, in a statement. Johnson served as Chief Executive Officer of Juniper Networks, from September 2008 – 2013. Prior to that, Johnson was a member of Microsoft’s senior leadership team for 16 years. In 2008, President George W. Bush appointed Johnson to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee where he served through the end of 2013. Johnson resides in Seattle and will be based at the Starbucks Support Centre.