Starbucks Visionary Howard Schultz Retires from Board After 41 Years of Growth and Controversy
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Howard Schultz retired from Starbucks' board of directors after 41 years with the company. He served as CEO twice and grew Starbucks from 4 to over 35,000 stores.
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Schultz was inspired by Italian espresso bars and wanted to bring that experience to Starbucks. He left to start Il Giornale, which later acquired Starbucks.
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A Senate committee found Starbucks violated labor laws by firing and threatening workers seeking to unionize under Schultz's leadership.
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Schultz testified that Starbucks did not break laws and allegations would be proven false.
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Schultz explored running for president in 2020 as an independent but ended his bid citing health reasons and polarization in major parties.