Starbucks Executives Share Their Knowledge

Starbucks Executives Share Their Knowledge

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Chris Carr and Clarice Turner represent a company known for providing millions of Americans their daily pick-me-up beverage and more.

Carr, a 1986 University of San Diego alumnus, and Turner, parent of a first-year USD student, are executives with the Seattle-based coffee giant, Starbucks. On Oct. 17, during a Parent Relations-sponsored Knowledge Transfer event held during USD’s Homecoming and Family Weekend, Carr and Turner spoke about their career paths, shared business insights and delved into the company’s community building aspects to an audience that included School of Business Administration Professor and Moderator, Simon Croom, students, alumni and parents in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre.

“I’m driven every single day when I get out of bed,” said Turner, a passionate leader who thrives as Starbucks' senior vice president of its food division, Americas Retail Business, and helped pioneer the Starbucks Evenings Program that showcases wine, beer and small plate offerings.

Carr is executive vice president for licensed stores in the U.S. and Americas. He is responsible for strategic planning, annual operations, market planning and sales and development for 6,500 licensed stores that generate annual system-wide sales in excess of $3 billion.

Leadership and Passion

Turner's passion for the food business has a track record. Before she joined Starbucks in 2009, she was president and COO for Papa Murphy’s International, the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country. She also served as national director of operations for Yum! Brands, which has Taco Bell and KFC, and she had several positions for PepsiCo. She’s also held multiple roles for the National Restaurant Association.

Turner's first foray post-college, though, came when she went to China, learned Mandarin Chinese and open her own business before returning to the U.S. to get an MBA. Nonetheless, she enjoyed the opportunity she created and it fit her personality.

"My early professional years were about what my passion was, finding that sweet spot and being open to new experiences," Turner said. "I like to be out there, meeting people, negotiating, lots of change, lots of challenges because that's what gives me energy."

Turner certainly found the latter when her many ideas eventually led to Starbucks brass asking her to take on the food side of Starbucks’ business. Once that occurred, she said, it came with the expectation of doubling Starbucks’ $2.2 billion-dollar earnings within five years.

“When you think about leadership, it takes courage,” Carr said. “Sometimes, you have to take on what you wish for. If you’re one of those who likes to identify opportunities, you need to go in there and take it. For Clarice it wasn't just her ability to take over the food business, but having the aspiration and the ability to convince the organization that she could double it. That led to a series of acquisitions and several concepts. What she’s done is open up a whole new set of strategic opportunities for the company and as consumers you’re starting to see it.”

Her work ethic came naturally and she credits an undergraduate degree in geology from San Francisco State — where she later earned an MBA — for helping to develop a sharp skill set. “Science really teaches you how to think and ask questions. I tend to be a strategic thinker and it trained me how to analyze things,” she said.

Student of Learning

Carr’s rise in the business world and eventually to Starbucks, where he's been since 2006, came through the support of his parents at a young age. His mother raised him as a single parent after Chris’ father passed away when Chris was 14. Carr, though, credits his father for instilling the importance of getting an education.

“I’ve always been a student of learning,” he said. “One of the main things I’d advise anyone is that as you continue your own journey, whether it’s athletically, academically or professionally, the individuals who I see continue to thrive are the ones who are continually a student of learning and constantly redefining themselves.”

Carr’s passion for basketball was equally important. Sports teach people about teamwork, hard work, overcoming challenges and sportsmanship. Carr, who grew up in Los Angeles, went to Santa Monica City College and played basketball instead of accepting opportunities to play at a Division II or Division III college. He transferred to USD in 1984 and led the Toreros for assists and steals during his junior year in 1984-85. He focused, too, on his studies, earning a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

When he finished school, he started in sales for Bristol-Myers Squibb. He joined Mobil in various sales, finance and development roles in Florida and Michigan. A desire to move back to the west coast and start a family with his wife, Jacquelyn, led him to move to Circuit City. But 10 months in, Mobil called about an opportunity in Los Angeles and he took it. Two years later, Mobil and Exxon merged and he moved into planning, strategy and general manager roles to conclude an 18-year stint there.

Community Minded

Carr brought his business acumen to Starbucks and he’s held key roles within the company, letting his leadership abilities shine. He supports Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz and Starbucks' efforts in many ways, including community-building ideas Starbucks has implemented: a commitment to hire 10,000 military veterans and spouses; becoming the first company to offer part-time employees the opportunity to earn an online degree through Arizona State University with full tuition reimbursement; and providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth ages 16-24 who were either not in school or unemployed.

Turner, too, is committed to sustainability efforts as well as providing opportunities for Starbucks to donate food to aid needy families in local communities, including San Diego.

“The great thing about Starbucks is if you look at what our purpose is … Starbucks is at its best when we are a people company first,” Carr said. “There are certainly attributes associated with a for-profit company, but we have this dimension that’s more applicable to nonprofit in terms of having a social conscious, purpose and mission.”

The knowledge transferred at this event was certainly more than just a cup of coffee.

— Ryan T. Blystone

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