Jen Swanson, the leadership dynamo behind the Anacortes Starbucks store since 2007, leaves her local management position this week to take a new regional assignment with the Seattle based coffee company.

To say she will be missed is an understatement.

“Jen treats everyone with respect,” said regular customer Sally Balmer. “Clearly as a manager she knows how to run things in such a way that everyone, whether staff or customers, understands this is a place of respect and good cheer. She has set the tone, and it’s outstanding – good for the community.”

Fellow Starbucks employees – company ‘partners’ – express a mix of emotions on the eve of her departure. They are happy to see her take a big career step, but saddened at the prospect of losing everyday contact with the “boss” they have come to love in a work environment that feels more like family.

Jen took a break from this interview to follow an emotional partner outside following the end of her shift. She consoled her, assured her that the Anacortes store will remain a great place to work – and reminded her they will still each other as she is not moving from the area.

Back inside, partner Marlo Cooley said, “I’m not saying goodbye to Jen. She is my mentor now, and ever will be. She’s like a sister to me. I know I can reach out and the counsel she gives will be sound, direct and unbiased.”

Marlo tells of her initial days as a Starbucks employee in 2009, describing herself as painfully shy. She recalls the day when Jen asked her to move among customers in the lobby to introduce the new “Via” line of instant coffee.

“I cried and told her I couldn’t do it,” she said.

Today Marlo has re-launched a singing career with a local band called Ol’ Town Tonic. She also coordinates a Sunday evening schedule of live music at the Commercial Avenue store.

“I give Jen a lot of credit for the growth in my personal life,” said Marlo. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. She represents the perfect balance of love and support.”

Customer-turned-partner Rakan Alduaij’s relationship with Jen is less than a year old, but he said she is “the best manager I have ever had. I’ve had many bosses, but never anyone like her – she is always put together.”

Like Marlo, Rakan’s creative passions have been nurtured and even showcased by Jen. The local photographer boasts a wall of local images on the northwest wall of the store – a reality made possible because Jen convinced her bosses the display was in harmony with the company’s commitment to community.

Despite the obvious excitement about a promotion, Jen’s career move also had an emotional impact on her and her family.

“My eight-year-old cried when I gave her the news,” said Jen. “She said, ‘But that’s my family!’ My entire family loves this team.”

Family indeed. Jen notes that she started work with Starbucks as a barista in 1999 when she was just finishing with an Associate of Arts degree at Skagit Valley College. She was promoted to assistant manager in 2000, and among those she has hired along the way are Anacortes partners Amelia Tveter and Amanda Ray.

“I hired Amelia when she was 16,” she recalls with a smile. “I worked as Gail Portwine’s assistant in 2000. I love my team. It has been a privilege to be part of their individual journeys. They are an extended part of my family.”

Jen, who put her college ambitions on hold when she started work with Starbucks, reports with pride that she will graduate from Arizona State University in October after completing online academic work that will leave her with a business degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Sustainability.

“Starbucks is such a great company in terms of partner support,” she said. “I signed up for the ASU program the day the company announced it, and I will graduate with a cost-free education. The company also makes its partners stockholders, and they provide health and life insurance.”

Jen, a self-described “hippie,” has introduced composting and conservation initiatives at the Anacortes store. She also presided over dramatic store improvements including establishment of a drive-through window.

“I truly believe Anacortes has the best customers in the system,” she said, noting that she and her husband invited 40 customers to their wedding.

One of her favorite customer stories dates back to a physical change at the Anacortes store.

“The addition of our drive-through is an excellent example of the quality of our customers. I remember that we had a big hole in the west wall during construction. I was literally handing out orange earplugs to people enjoying a cup of coffee in our lobby. Despite all the dust and the noise of hammers, our customers didn’t care. It was shocking to me that this environment was so special to our customers that they gathered here anyway and took the project in stride.”

Looking forward, Jen said her successor, Lacey Frigard, is perfect for the job.

“Lacey has a wonderful spirit, a vision that will protect the Anacortes store as “a place where people can connect.” And that includes both staff and customers.

In terms of her career, Jen said, “I’m very excited. I am a lifelong learner. I’m looking forward to new experiences, new relationships to add to my ever-growing family.”