Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella to join Starbucks' board of directors?

It could just happen and Starbucks certainly seems to want it to.In an effort to boost technology and drive sales, Starbucks has nominated the Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (pictured), to the Starbucks board of directors. In a company statement, Starbucks said that Nadella will bring to the "extensive experience and an understanding of how technology will be used and experienced around the world."The others nominated include, Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam's Club, and executive vice president of Wal-Mart Stores, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, executive chairman of the LEGO brand Group.The statement explained that Nadella's experience international operations and distribution will help the company to focus on innovative ways to use technology to elevate the brand and grow its business.This news comes at a time when Howard Schultz will step aside as CEO of Starbucks from April, and Kevin Johnson, chief operating officer, will step up to replace him.Starbucks has also outlined a five-year plan to increase its global footprint by nearly 50%, adding 12,000 new stores worldwide by 2021. The aggressive growth strategy includes a heavy focus on China, where the Seattle-based coffee chain looks to triple its current operation.Nadella has served as CEO and a member of the board of directors of Microsoft Corporation, since February 2014.  He has held various leadership positions at Microsoft since joining the company in 1992. He currently serves on the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center board of trustees.“For 45 years, the success of the Starbucks brand has been built upon the preservation of the trust, confidence and connection we have with our customers and partners,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman and CEO.“I’m honored to have been nominated to join the board of this world-renowned company,” said Nadella. “As a regular customer myself, I’ve always admired Starbucks focus and deep passion for its customers and the communities it does business in and hope my years of experience in the technology industry will be of value to the company.”Additionally, James Shennan Jr, a Starbucks director since March 1990, will retire from the board effective immediately prior to the shareholder meeting in accordance with the company’s Corporate Governance Principles and Practices’ mandatory retirement age requirements.“For nearly three decades Shennan has been instrumental in the building of the Starbucks brand, our go-to-market strategy, and the globalization of our operations,” said Schultz.“He has fully appreciated the Starbucks culture and our mission from our earliest of days, and has made significant contributions in the evolution of our business. I’m eternally grateful to Jamie for his knowledge and counsel to me, personally, and to the Starbucks Board of Directors over the years,” he added.