Starbucks Coffee Company has announced that it has appointed Blair Taylor as chief community officer. Taylor currently serves as president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, an affiliate of one of the nation's leading civil rights organizations.
"At Starbucks annual shareholders meeting in March, I reiterated the company's long-standing belief that there is a direct relationship between Starbucks success and the strength and vitality of the communities in which we do business," said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO. "As a distinguished community advocate and an accomplished, entrepreneurial leader in the public and private sectors, Blair's vision, experience and innovative thinking will enhance and elevate our commitment to Starbucks' mission and work in the diverse communities we serve."
Taylor will report to Schultz and be a member of Starbucks Senior Leadership Team. In this newly created position, he will lead the company's Community, Government Relations, Diversity and Global Responsibility teams. He also will serve as a member of the Starbucks Foundation Board of Directors.
Taylor is described as a visionary leader and coalition builder with nearly 25 years of public- and private-sector experience, including deep expertise in education, urban development, business and community empowerment. His previous experience includes working at both PepsiCo and IBM, where he held numerous brand marketing, strategy, and executive sales positions.
Taylor will be based in Seattle and start his new role at the end of July 2012.
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