SEATTLE John Culver has been named president of Starbucks Coffee International, replacing Martin Coles, who resigned to pursue new opportunities, the coffeehouse giant said Tuesday.
Culver, who has been with Starbucks for seven years, most recently served as president of the company's Global Consumer Products and Foodservice division. That role will be taken on in the interim by Michelle Gass, who recently was named president of Seattle’s Best Coffee. Gass will maintain both positions until a permanent replacement for Culver can be found, Starbucks said.
In his new role, Culver will oversee the operations and business development for all markets outside the United States, an area of growth for Starbucks. Prior to working in CPG and Foodservice, Culver headed Starbucks’ Asia Pacific region.
“With our U.S. business moving in the right direction, now is the time to re-accelerate growth of our international business," said Howard Schultz, Starbucks' chairman, president and chief executive. "John’s experience and success leading our Asia Pacific region, his deep coffee industry knowledge and his strong leadership skills combine to make him the ideal leader for Starbucks Coffee International today.
"I am excited to work closely with John as I expand the focus of my activities to include aggressive pursuit and development of our global business opportunities," Schultz added.
At the end of the September-ended quarter, Starbucks had 11,128 locations domestically and 5,507 international locations. Company officials have predicted another 200 new stores will be opened internationally in 2010, as well as about 100 in the United States.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
