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Meeting For Coffee

Michael Coles, CEO of Caribou Coffee, to Speak at Federation Forum

Michael Coles

Caribou Coffee Company, second largest non-franchised coffee chain in the US behind Starbucks, serves hot cups of joe to the java herd now in more than 250 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia. Having taken the reins of the company just over a year ago, CEO, Michael Coles, has much to say on the quality of blends, beans and the challenge of “Taking on Goliath.” He will address the topic at the next Federation Forum to be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 from noon to 1:30 pm. at the Townsend Hotel, in Birmingham.

Michael Coles, an accomplished businessman, community leader, philanthropist, activist and fundraiser, and a one-time Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, is living proof that there are no limits to what we as individuals can accomplish. His skills as an entrepreneur were put to the test in 1977 when he co-founded the nationally successful Great American Cookie Company with an initial investment of only $8,000. When Coles sold the company in 1998, it had hundreds of stores nationwide with sales over $100 million.

Michael’s belief that there are no limits that cannot be overcome was severely tested after a near-fatal motorcycle accident left him disabled and doctors told him he would never walk again unaided. Miraculously he fully recovered. By 1984 he had set two World Transcontinental Bicycling records, breaking his first record set in 1982. In 1989, Michael joined a four-man team to win the Race Across America, biking 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to New York in five days, one hour and eight minutes. Both records still stand today.

Federation Forum’s committee chair is Mindy Soble and the event chair is Levi Smith. This program is sponsored by the Campaign and Community Development Department of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit in partnership with Caribou Coffee Company.

The cost for the dairy luncheon is $30. A strictly kosher meal is available upon request. Reservations are requested by May 4, 2004, and can be made online at http://thisisfederation.org/events/forum.asp.

Contact:
Alaine Waldshan
Campaign and Community Development Department
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
(248) 203-1486

Federation Forum is a program of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit with the mission of connecting the Jewish community to topics and issues related to the economic, social and cultural development of the greater Detroit community.