Howard Behar: podcast appearances and interviews

Howard Behar is a former president of Starbucks Coffee Company International and the founding president of Starbucks International. He began his career at Starbucks in 1989, during the company’s early expansion outside the American northwest region. Initially serving as vice president of sales and operations, Behar was instrumental in increasing the retail store count from 28 to over 400 by 1995. That year, he was appointed president of Starbucks Coffee International, overseeing the company’s entry into new markets. Under his leadership, Starbucks opened its first location in Tokyo in 1996 and expanded its presence throughout Asia and the United Kingdom over the following three years. After a two-year hiatus from the company, Behar returned as president of Starbucks North America, a position he held until his retirement in March 2007. Throughout his tenure, he has been a director of Starbucks since 1996. Behar is also the author of the book It's Not About The Coffee, which discusses leadership principles gained through his experience at Starbucks.