Our People

CARL W. PENNINGTON, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board.

Carl W. Pennington joined Tully's in 2008 as president of the company and was promoted to president and chief executive officer in 2009. In addition, Pennington was appointed by the Tully's board of directors in July 2010 to be chairman of the board, succeeding company founder Tom "Tully" O'Keefe, who served as chairman since the company's inception in 1992 until his retirement in June 2010.

Upon being named Tully's president, Pennington was instrumental in refocusing corporate strategies and assembling a management team that guided Tully's to its first positive EBITDA earnings report from continued operations in the companies 18 year history, prior to selling the wholesale division to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for $40.3 million in March 2009.

Pennington's focus on improving retail store operations, enhancing the customer experience and strengthening barista training has elevated the overall retail outlook and has led to an aggressive growth strategy with an emphasis on franchising and creating franchise partnerships with single-unit operators.

Before joining Tully’s, Pennington founded Pinnacle Management, a management company, and PinnPointe Consulting Group, a consulting company advising retail and wholesale companies. Pennington brings extensive retail and wholesale expertise to Tully’s, having previously served as Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Merchandising at Albertson’s, the nation’s second largest retail food chain, from 1995 to 2001. He directed and had responsibility for leading the operations, sales, marketing, and merchandising functions of the company. Pennington also held various other positions including division vice president and district manager with Albertson’s from 1967 to 1995. Pennington graduated from Fullerton State College and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.

RON GAI, vice president of licensing and franchising.

Ron Gai joined the Tully’s team in May of 2002. Previously, Gai served as director of trade development for Franz/Gai’s Bakeries in the Northwest. His responsibilities included increasing market share among grocery stores and large retail chains. Prior to the acquisition of Gai’s Bakeries in 1996, Gai, as a principal of the company, was instrumental in building the family-owned business into the largest bakery in the Northwest. He also played a key role in the company’s expansion, which included Seattle’s Langendorf Bakery and Venice Bakery of Vancouver, B.C. In addition, he oversaw the development of new brands such as Seattle Sourdough, Country Hearth, and Poulsbo breads. Gai is a native of Seattle.

MARTIN WALKER, vice president of retail operations.

Martin Walker joined Tully’s in January 2006 as Director of Database Marketing, and held the position of Director of Merchandising and Loyalty prior to being named to the executive team. Previously, Walker was with the Seattle Sonics & Storm for 9 years, serving in Director-level positions in merchandising, ticket sales and interactive marketing. Walker brings over 20 years of experience in sales and merchandising to the Tully’s leadership team.

SCOTT EARLE, vice president of marketing and business development.

Scott Earle has been with Tully’s Coffee since March 2006, and most recently served as Director of Business Development & Loyalty where he was responsible for all direct to consumer product sales and programs including Tully’s Cards, fundraising coffee and co-branded specialty products. Before joining Tully’s, Earle spent 6 years with the Seattle Sonics & Storm working in sales and public relations. While with the Sonics, he was honored as an NBA President’s Club member for sales excellence in 2005, and was instrumental in co-founding the Battle in Seattle basketball showcase series for Gonzaga University. Earle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Central Washington University.