Michael Coles (businessman)
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]In 1977 Coles had a serious motorcycle accident. Told he would not walk again, he recovered doing cycling as physiotherapy.[19][20]
Books
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Brett, Jennifer. "'It's not complicated. It's cookies.' Wit and wisdom from Michael Coles". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ "Michael Coles shares advice for 'Taking on Goliath' – News". news.kennesaw.edu.
- ^ Madigan, Kevin C. (November 22, 2018). Underdog Businessman Overcomes Obstacles.
- ^ a b Prescott, Virginia (January 24, 2019). "Great American Cookie Company Co-Founder Talks 'Time To Get Tough'". Georgia Public Broadcasting.
- ^ "Meet the Anti-Newt". The New York Times. September 8, 1996.
- ^ Shields, Mark (November 5, 1996). "The Making Of The Solid Northeast". The Washington Post.
- ^ Schwinn, Elizabeth (October 21, 1996). "Campaign '96". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Garcia, Kenneth J. (April 27, 1996). "Gingrich Cranky and Others Doleful". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ "2 Businessmen Win In Georgia Primaries". The New York Times. July 22, 1998.
- ^ Sack, Kevin (November 12, 1998). "Front-runner for Gingrich Seat Emerges". The New York Times.
- ^ "CNN/AllPolitics Election 98". CNN.
- ^ Pallerino, Michael J. (January–February 2020). "Lights, Camera, Georgia". Georgia Hollywood Review Magazine. p. 14 – via FlippingBook.
- ^ Schmeltzer, John (May 20, 2004). "Caribou grinds away at rumor". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Caribou history". Star Tribune. December 18, 2012.
- ^ Clark, Taylor (November 5, 2007). Starbucked: A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce, and Culture. Little, Brown. ISBN 978-0-316-02617-8.
- ^ "Caribou Coffee CEO Michael Coles steps down". Minnesota Public Radio News. November 13, 2007.
- ^ "About Our Benefactor". coles.kennesaw.edu. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ "Michael Coles Launches KSU Fund for Veterans". Atlanta Jewish Times. April 15, 2021.
- ^ Cohen, Adam (July 8, 1996). "CAMPAIGN '96: NEWT GINGRICH'S COOKIE MONSTER". Time.
- ^ Spaid, Elizabeth Levitan (September 25, 1996). "A Cookie Magnate Sets Out to Burn Gingrich". The Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ Lipis, Allen H. (October 30, 2018). "Time to Get Tough: Michael Coles Gives Keys to Business Success". Atlanta Jewish Times.
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