The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business invites all students, faculty and staff to attend "Take the Job No One Wants" - a presentation by Jim Donald, former CEO of Starbucks and Pathmark Supermarkets and current CEO of Extended Stay America Hotel Chain (the largest wholly owned chain in North America and the 3rd largest in the world), on Wednesday, October 3, at 4:30 p.m. in LaRose Digital Theatre.
A reception will follow.
Donald is a seasoned executive with a distinguished career in retail. Named one of the “Top 25 CEO’s in the World” in 2006 by the Best Practice Institute, Donald earned a reputation for turning around financially ailing companies early in his career. In his presentation, he will share his experience (real time as he steers Extended Stay America out of bankruptcy) as a leader focused on innovation, quality, service, strong relationships within the community, and risk taking with the freedom to fail…for all levels of the organization.
Donald has more than 35 years of experience in the supermarket industry. He served as president and CEO of Pathmark stores, at first, a privately held 143 store chain on the East Coast, which went public in 2000. He also served as a president of Safeway’s Eastern Division. Donald was handpicked by Sam Walton, Wal-Mart’s founder, to serve as vice president of merchandising at Wal-Mart’s Supercenters.
Donald also served at Starbucks Corporation from 2002-08, first as president of Starbucks North America and then as president and CEO of Starbucks from 2005-08.