Learning and Development Manager at Starbucks
A cup of coffee takes Navy pilot to Starbucks and puts his military training to use developing new talent for Starbucks.
by Warren Duffie
Tony Stillings was drowning in frustration. In preparation for his civilian transition, the Navy pilot was scouring magazines and job sites, partnering with recruiters, and taking seemingly endless skills-assessment exams. But nothing worked. Companies weren’t responding, and worse, Stillings didn’t really know what career path he wanted. Desperate, he sat down and reflected on what moved him, what his passion was. The answer was in front of him — in a coffee mug.
“My wife and I are big ‘foodies,’ ” says Stillings, 32. “And we really love coffee, particularly Starbucks coffee. I decided that would be a company I might want to work for, so I began to do some research.”
His soul-searching paid off. A few months ago, the former lieutenant was hired as Starbucks Coffee’s learning and development manager — promising him an exciting job and an endless supply of sweet, rich coffee goodness.
On the Job
Stillings oversees Starbucks educational and training curriculum — from how to make a Frappuccino to proper store displays to conducting store inspections. His coverage area encompasses 300 stores in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, and he works with a team of learning specialists who communicate regularly with regional vice presidents about their training needs.
Stillings’ work week is a flurry of activity. He spends much time on the road, visiting various stores to meet with managers and partners (employees), and conduct training sessions. When he’s not traveling, Stillings usually arrives at his Vienna, Va., office at 8:30 a.m., first checking his e-mail and voicemail. He then reviews feedback from regional directors and compiles reports on which areas have strong training programs and which need additional focus. Then it’s on to multiple meetings before going home at 6 p.m.
So how did this junior officer successfully switch from engines and propulsion systems to mochas and lattes? In the Navy, he served as a division manager in charge of 40 sailors and later taught leadership courses to midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy: “I can’t stress enough how the discipline and attention to detail I developed in uniform still help today. They’re especially crucial in managing people and organizing my daily priorities.”
Military Experience
Stillings was exposed to the military at a young age. His father was a World War II B-24 pilot in the European theater. His half-brother was a Marine Corps F-4 Phantom pilot. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1997, Stillings attended flight school in Pensacola, Fla., and was assigned to a Prowler jet at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
From 2003 until 2004, Stillings headed up the academy’s largest summer training program. After being deployed for five months at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar where he helped plan more than 5,000 air combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom — he returned to Annapolis to teach leadership skills to midshipmen.
But by February 2006, he thought is was time for a change “I loved the military, but I had reached the pinnacle of my career. I had flown in combat and taught at the Academy. I was ready for something new.”
The Transition
When Stillings decided to investigate Starbucks, he spoke to various company recruiters, store managers, and baristas, those who actually make your coffee. Soon, he was contacted by Starbucks to interview for the learning and development manager job — a recently created position. Stillings’ combination of classroom teaching, combat leadership, and experience commanding sailors was too mouthwatering for Starbucks to pass up.
“Starbucks is a great company to work for,” Stillings says. “My salary is great, and benefits are among the best in Corporate America — health, dental, vision, stock options. The company takes great care of its employees. I can honestly say I’ve had no potholes in my transition.”
Stillings’ Advice
Make sure you really want to leave the military. “Be comfortable with that decision. Think long and hard because the military does provide a great lifestyle.”
Conduct informational interviews. “Once you’ve figured out what companies might be good for you, call some of them. Ask their people what they like about working there. You’d be surprised at how open people will be.”
Use G.I. Jobs. “Sit down” and look at all the different companies who want to hire military and see what may be a good fit for you.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Stats
Company: Starbucks
Founded: 1971
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
# of Employees: 115,000
2005 Revenues: $6.4 billion
Web site: www.starbucks.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GET HIRED™
Starbucks Coffee Company was founded in 1971, opening its first location in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Starbucks, named after the first mate in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, is the world’s leading retailer of specialty coffee in North America, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and the Pacific Rim. Worldwide, approximately 40 million customers visit a Starbucks coffeehouse each week.
The company has a number of different career paths in retail operations, including store managers, district managers, regional directors and barista. Opportunities outside of retail operations include accounting, finance, information technology, sales and supply chain management; production and distribution positions.
Check out the Starbucks Career Center at www.starbucks.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you know?
Founded in 1971, Starbucks Coffee is a worldwide phenomenon. With 12,000 locations in 37 countries, Starbucks serves more than 40 million customers each week. Its coffee department tastes more than 150,000 cups of coffee each year — more than 12 million ounces, enough to fill Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, the largest indoor aquarium in the world.
Although Starbucks doesn’t track the total number of partners that serve in Guard and Reserve there have been more than 90 that have been called to active duty. In support of their efforts, Starbucks provides a supplement to make up the difference between their military pay and their pay level at Starbucks before they went on leave.
What Stillings likes about his job:
“The people at Starbucks are genuinely welcoming. The camaraderie reminds me of the military. Everyone here is so passionate about coffee that it’s hard not to get excited about work.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Stillings File
Highest Rank Held: Lieutenant (O-3)
Education: U.S. Naval Academy, Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science with Merit; Naval Flight School, Pensacola, Fla.
Military Experience: Spent nine years on active duty as an aviator in the Navy flying EA-6B Prowlers and as a leadership instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Chronological Résumé
Summer 2006 to Present: Learning and Development Manager, Starbucks Coffee, Vienna, Va.
1997 to Summer 2006: U.S. Navy - Served at Whidbey Island, at the U.S. Naval Academy, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom as an aviator and instructor.
The Daily Grind
0830-0900 Report to work and check e-mail and voicemail.
0900-1200 Review feedback from regional directors and compile reports on training needs. Travel to variety of stores to meet with managers and partners.
1200-1730 Attend various meetings.
1730-1800 Check the schedule for tomorrow and make any necessary plans.
1800 Go home.