Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBOU – News) has made several changes to its executive leadership team. The changes come following the recent announcement of the company’s strategic areas of focus which include improving the profitability of the coffeehouses, rationalizing the cost structure of the organization with the current revenue stream, aligning the current real estate portfolio, and profitably growing the commercial and franchise business channels.
Joining the company as the Sr. Vice President of Supply Chain, Product Management & Real Estate Development is Daniel J. Hurdle. Hurdle brings extensive gourmet coffee experience having worked five years with Starbucks Coffee Company in executive leadership roles in their retail food business and retail store construction and operations. Hurdle also worked with McKinsey & Company in management & strategy consulting, was an officer in the US Navy and has served as a Senior Vice President in operations, strategy and new business development for several retail & service entities. Hurdle has a M.S. in Management Studies from Cambridge University and a B.S. from the US Naval Academy.
As announced in previous SEC filings, also joining the company as the Sr. Vice President of Marketing is Alfredo V. Martel, who will assume responsibility for the company’s brand strategy and marketing activities. Martel joins Caribou Coffee from Yum! Brands where he has worked for the past eight years, most recently as part of the corporate executive leadership team for KFC USA, and previously as the Brand Director for KFC and Taco Bell Yum Restaurants International in Puerto Rico. Martel also has worked in several consumer package goods companies and for large advertising agencies including BBDO and Grey Advertising. Martel has a MBA from Boston College and a B.S. in Communications from Cornell University.
With these additions, leaving the company will be Kathy Hollenhorst who is currently responsible for marketing and product development, and Amy O’Neil who is responsible for retail store operations. Both Hollenhorst and O’Neil have agreed to assist in the successful transition of responsibilities. Retail store operations will be managed by CEO Mike Tattersfield to leverage his strong retail operating experience.
