Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been nominated to join the Starbucks board of directors. Starbucks announced Nadella's nomination alongside those of LEGO Executive Chairman Jørgen Vig Knudstorp and Sam's Club CEO and President Rosalind Brewer.
Speaking on his nomination, Nadella said:
I'm honored to have been nominated to join the Board of this world-renowned company. As a regular customer myself, I've always admired Starbucks focus and deep passion for its customers and the communities it does business in and hope my years of experience in the technology industry will be of value to the company.
Starbucks says Nadella's presence on the board will bring valuable technical experience to help the company leverage technology "to elevate the brand and grow its business." Starbucks shareholders will vote to elect Nadella, alongside Knudstorp and Brewer, at an annual meeting on March 22.
Starbucks and Microsoft are based in Seattle, and both companies have worked together in the past. In early 2016, Starbucks showed off an Office add-in that allowed users to easily schedule meetings at local Starbucks locations or even send custom electronic gift cards, all from within the Office suite. Starbucks also launched a Windows 10 Mobile app in late 2016.
