Howard Schultz attends last Starbucks shareholders meeting as CEO

SEATTLE — Howard Schultz attended his last Starbucks shareholders meeting Wednesday as the company’s CEO.

The meeting was held at Seattle's McCaw Hall.  About 2,700 people were expected to attend.

Schultz announced he was stepping down in December.

He highlighted Starbucks' achievements since the company went public 25 years ago. There has been an approximate 18,000 percent return for shareholders.

With 330,000 employees worldwide, he told investors that over the next eight years, Starbucks plans to hire 125,000 more military vets, their spouses and young people who currently aren't working or in school.

The current Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Johnson, will take over as CEO on April 3.

Schultz plans to focus on the brand's premium reserve business.

He will move to the role of executive chairman.

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Cox Media Group