Love this story Jim! It was so like Orin to make the "basketball comment" in a tense situation to lighten things up! Really miss him!! I was on sabbatical during this time. Never will forget the feeling of sitting in my parked car as it bounced up and down and from my rear view mirror seeing the street move like a snake was crawling underneath it!!

Thanks for bringing be back to the second facility we were in after moving from the original roasting plant on the East side of Airport Way. Those were the days when we could fit almost everyone in the company in the common space for Open Forums. O yes, and then there was the constant need for us to be adaptable to take advantage of opportunities to put our coffee front and center!! We were a nimble bunch of partners back then!!

I remember when WTO was happening downtown and there were demonstrations happening downtown along with people who were in the streets causing property damage. The NW regional management team all gathered in HS's office since he had a TV that we could watch what the news crews. We were told HS was on his way back from a trip and that we could stay for a bit since the pizza we ordered had just arrive. Much to our surprise in watch Howard with Magic Johnson!! i remember his big small and his handshake that just about lifted me off the ground. What a surprise. He even had a slice of pizza with us!🤗

Glen, Thank you for this heart warming story about James. I am so proud to know about how Starbucks was a second family for him especially when he was facing some very tough life challenges. Appreciate you honoring James and his fellow partners with this story!!

Hi Cheri! I can totally visualize this moment and the need to have everything just right! HS was so particular and I can imagine the pressure was on to do a first class presentation for the original investors! Of course it all was very impressive!! Thanks for sharing this milestone story!! Jennifer