Jeffrey Brotman

Costco Wholesale Corp. Chairman Jeffrey Brotman, who co-founded the company and helped kick off a movement that spread warehouse-style shopping to much of the world, has died. He was 74. Brotman, who grew up in Tacoma, Washington, was a lawyer before turning to entrepreneurship. He helped start the Costco chain in 1982 with Jim Sinegal, who went on to become the company’s longtime chief executive officer. Brotman wasn’t as much of a public face for Costco, but he served as chairman for decades. He also was a director on Starbucks Corp.’s board during the ’90s. Jeffrey Hart Brotman was born in September 1942, according to public records. He attended the University of Washington and majored in political science. After graduating from its law school in 1967, he practiced law in Seattle. He also dabbled in retail, running businesses with his brother, Michael. Brotman led the board since the company’s inception, except during a stretch from 1993 to 1994 when he was vice chairman.