• March 4, 2008

Starbucks Coffee Co. has promoted Cliff Burrows, currently president, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), to president, Starbucks Coffee U.S., effective March 12. Burrows succeeds Launi Skinner, who resigned to spend more time with her husband and two daughters.

 

Burrows began his career with Starbucks in April 2001, as vice president and managing director, UK, building the Starbucks brand and more than doubling the number of stores in that market. In April 2006, he was appointed to the position of president, EMEA.

As part of Starbucks' ongoing transformation and focused efforts to reignite its emotional attachment with customers, the company recently realigned its U.S. divisions. The leaders of each division, listed below, will report directly to Coles until Burrows' transition and immersion with the new team is complete:

• Chris Carr, SVP, Northwest / Mountain. Prior to his promotion, Carr served as regional vice president, South Central.

• Cos LaPorta, SVP, Western / Pacific. LaPorta most recently was SVP, Western Division.

•  Jim McDermet, SVP, Northeast / Atlantic. In his previous role McDermet served as SVP, U.S. Store Services.

• Paul Twohig, SVP, Southeast / Plains. Twohig most recently was SVP, Eastern Division.

With Burrows' departure as president, EMEA, on an interim basis the team will report directly to Jim Alling, president, Starbucks Coffee International, until the new president, EMEA is appointed.

--Nina M. Lentini