Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. announced that Kevin Johnson, president and chief operating officer (COO) and a seven-year member of the Starbucks Board of Directors, will expand his responsibilities and assume the role of president and chief executive officer, effective April 3, 2017. Also effective April 3, 2017, Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive officer, will be appointed executive chairman and will shift his focus to innovation, the design and development of Starbucks Reserve Roasteries around the world, expansion of the Starbucks Reserve retail store format and the company's social impact initiatives. In his new role, Schultz will continue to serve as chairman of the Board, the company says. "Starbucks consistently outperforms the retail industry because our stores, our offerings and the experiences our partners create make us a destination.