Michael Coles (businessman) explained
Michael J. Coles is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and politician. Coles was the co-founder of Great American Cookie Company and former CEO of Caribou Coffee. Coles was the 1996 Democratic nominee for the house of representatives in the Sixth District of Georgia, and the 1998 Democratic nominee for U.S senate. In 1994 Kennesaw State University named its school of business the Coles College of Business.
Career
In 1977, with co-founder Arthur Karp, Coles opened the first Great American Cookie Company location at Perimeter Mall with an investment of $8,000.[1] [2] [3] From there, the company expanded and became a chain in the United States. In 1988, Coles sold the Great American Cookie company for $100 million.[4]
Coles ran as a Democrat for US Congress in 1996, against incumbent congressman Newt Gingrich.[5] [6] [7] The two opponents spent a total of $8.9 million dollars on their campaigns, with Gingrich emerging as the winner.[8]
In 1998, Coles ran for US Senate as a Democratic candidate. He defeated his opponent in the primary,[9] but lost the general election.[10] [11]
In 1999, after being appointed by Governor Roy Barnes, Coles became the chair of the Georgia Film, Video and Music Advisory Board.[12] He served as chairman for four years.
Coles joined Caribou Coffee as its CEO in 2003.[13] [14] During his tenure he oversaw an initial public offering of the company's stock.[15] He stepped down from the position in 2007 following the decline of the company's share price.[16]
Philanthropy
Coles joined Kennesaw State University's board of trustees in 1990. In 1994, after a donation from his Coles-Novak Family Foundation, the business school was renamed the Michael J. Coles School of Business (now College of Business).[17] [18]
Personal life
In 1977 Coles had a serious motorcycle accident. Told he would not walk again, he recovered doing cycling as physiotherapy.[19] [20]
Books
Notes and References
- Web site: Brett . Jennifer . 'It's not complicated. It's cookies.' Wit and wisdom from Michael Coles . Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Web site: Michael Coles shares advice for 'Taking on Goliath' – News . news.kennesaw.edu.
- Book: Madigan . Kevin C. . Underdog Businessman Overcomes Obstacles .
- Web site: Prescott . Virginia . Great American Cookie Company Co-Founder Talks 'Time To Get Tough' . Georgia Public Broadcasting.
- Web site: Meet the Anti-Newt . The New York Times . September 8, 1996.
- News: Shields . Mark . The Making Of The Solid Northeast . The Washington Post . November 5, 1996.
- Web site: Schwinn . Elizabeth . Campaign '96 . San Francisco Chronicle . October 21, 1996.
- Web site: Garcia . Kenneth J. . Gingrich Cranky and Others Doleful . San Francisco Chronicle . April 27, 1996.
- Web site: 2 Businessmen Win In Georgia Primaries . The New York Times . July 22, 1998.
- Web site: Sack . Kevin . Front-runner for Gingrich Seat Emerges . The New York Times . November 12, 1998.
- Web site: CNN/AllPolitics Election 98 . CNN.
- Web site: Lights, Camera, Georgia . January–February 2020 . Pallerino . Michael J. . FlippingBook . Georgia Hollywood Review Magazine . 14.
- Web site: Schmeltzer . John . Caribou grinds away at rumor . Chicago Tribune.
- Web site: Caribou history . Star Tribune.
- Book: Clark . Taylor . Starbucked: A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce, and Culture . November 5, 2007 . Little, Brown . 978-0-316-02617-8 .
- Web site: Caribou Coffee CEO Michael Coles steps down . Minnesota Public Radio News.
- Web site: About Our Benefactor. April 23, 2021. coles.kennesaw.edu. en.
- Web site: Michael Coles Launches KSU Fund for Veterans . Atlanta Jewish Times . April 15, 2021.
- Cohen . Adam . CAMPAIGN '96: NEWT GINGRICH'S COOKIE MONSTER . Time . July 8, 1996.
- Web site: Spaid . Elizabeth Levitan . A Cookie Magnate Sets Out to Burn Gingrich . The Christian Science Monitor . September 25, 1996.
- Web site: Lipis . Allen H. . Time to Get Tough: Michael Coles Gives Keys to Business Success . Atlanta Jewish Times . October 30, 2018.
