Nationality United States Spouse(s) Susan Thrailkill | Name Jeffrey Brotman Organizations founded Costco | |
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Born 1942 (age 72–73) Tacoma, Washington, Occupation Attorney, entrepreneur, corporate executive Known for Co-founder and Chairman of Costco Education University of Washington School of Law (1967), University of Washington (1964) Similar People James Sinegal, Sol Price, W Craig Jelinek, Hamilton E James, Richard Galanti | ||
2016 UW Foster School Distinguished Leadership Award: Jeffrey Brotman
Jeffrey Hart Brotman (September 27, 1942 – August 1, 2017) was an American attorney. He was the co-founder and chairman of Costco Wholesale Corporation.
Contents
- 2016 UW Foster School Distinguished Leadership Award Jeffrey Brotman
- Early life and education
- Career
- Death
- References
Early life and education
Brotman was born in Tacoma, Washington, the son of Bernie and Pearl Brotman, Jewish immigrants from Romania. His father was an owner of Seattle Knitting Mills. Along with his uncles, he owned a chain of 18 retail stores in Washington and Oregon named Bernie's.
In 1965, the family moved to Seattle. Brotman graduated from the University of Washington in 1964 with a degree in political science and in 1967 with a J.D. He was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at the University of Washington. After school, he and his brother, Michael, founded a women's jeans store named Bottoms; and in the 1980s, they founded the Jeffrey Michael chain of men’s clothing stores, which they operated into the 1990s.
Career
In 1982, Brotman co-founded Costco Wholesale Corporation with Jim Sinegal. He served as chairman from the company's inception until his death, except during a stretch from 1993 to 1994 when he was vice chairman. Brotman was reported to have extensive knowledge of Costco and its development.
Brotman served on the boards of several public companies and according to Businessweek magazine, was "connected to 13 board members". He sat on the board of directors of the Million-Dollar Roundtable at the United Way of King County. He also served on the boards of Seafirst Bank, Starbucks, and was a trustee at the Seattle Art Museum.
Death
Brotman died August 1, 2017 in Medina, Washington, at the age of 74. He died in his sleep and may have been caused by heart failure. He was survived by his wife Susan Thrailkill, and two children.