by Meridith Levinson

Starbucks’ CIO Brian Crynes Leaves Amidst Management Shake Up

Opinion
Jan 14, 20081 min
Careers

Chris Bruzzo appointed VP, CTO and acting CIO

The Seattle Times reported on Saturday that Brian Crynes, Starbucks‘ chief information officer, is leaving the coffee company. Crynes’ departure follows the reappointment of Howard Schultz to the CEO post. Schultz stepped down as Starbucks’ CEO in 2000 after 13 years in the role. Since resuming the CEO role on January 7, 2008, he’s been brewing changes in the company’s executive management that are designed to inject some caffeine into the company’s growth. Starbucks’ share price has dropped 48 percent this past year, according to MarketWatch.

Replacing Crynes in the CIO role is Chris Bruzzo, who was named acting CIO in addition to vice president and CTO—a new position inside the company. Bruzzo reports to Starbucks’ COO Martin Coles. As part of the company’s renewed focus on its customers, Bruzzo is responsible for coming up with ways to connect with customers, including loyalty programs, that use technology, according to the press release announcing the management changes.