JOSH MARSCEAU

QUALITY CONTROL SUPERVISOR

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW JOSH GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Josh got into coffee at a family owned café in Iowa. Initially a short term project, he quickly developed a passion for coffee and never looked back.

WHY JOSH WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“It's a challenging and rewarding industry that offers adventure and unique opportunities to develop relationships with people all over the world. And coffee offers so many enjoyable facets including flavor.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

12 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Roaster, Barista, Quality Control, Q Grader

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Uganda

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

SCAA Regional Barista Competition

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Mariah Carey/ ‘Emotions'

HOBBIES:

Roaming the California coast, especially Point Reyes.

ALAN NIETLISBACH

PROVIDENCE, RI

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 X103

HOW ALAN GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Working in Guatemala and Colombia in 1988/89 he realized there was much better coffee available than he ever realized.

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

30 years

POSITIONS HELD:

From Trainee / Lab Assistant pretty much everything

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

COE - Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica; Gems of Araku - India; Best of Panama; Best of Bolivia

HOBBIES:

Alan is in continuous search of THE hobby...

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Supertramp

ROB STEPHEN

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x101

HOW ROB GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Rob met a girl. She told him that being a musician wasn't a job, so he got a job at a coffee shop. The rest is history.

WHY ROB WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“It engages all of my senses, challenges all of my preconceptions, exercises all of my strengths and pushes on my weaknesses. And the people are nice. And there's free coffee.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

27 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Roaster, Barista, International Development, Small Business Owner, Quality Control, Buyer, Trader, Co-Author of SCAA Green Coffee Defect Handbook, Plant Manager, SCAA President, Coffee Kids President, US Rep to the ISO

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, Jamaica, Nicaragua

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Supply chain management, 80’s movie references, QC, Quality Standards, Karaoke

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Kiss/ ‘Destroyer’

HOBBIES:

Boston Red Sox

ZACH FRITZHAND

RISK SUPERVISOR

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x114

HOW ZACH GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Zach got his start in coffee when he apprenticed with a specialty roaster in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It took about 5 minutes before he realized he would never leave the coffee world. From Dhaka, he traveled to China and began working for China’s oldest specialty coffee roaster.

WHY ZACH WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“Coffee impacts so many people around the world: farmers, processors, exporters, importers, roasters, cafes...and all the other steps/services not listed. I love the international aspects of the coffee trade and seeing how our efforts impact producers and consumers alike.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

5 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Roaster, International Development, Q Grader

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

China, Panama

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Chinese, Excel, Craft beer

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

NPR Podcasts

HOBBIES:

Extreme hiking, fly-fishing, and watching good movies.

CHRIS FINCH

JUNIOR TRADER

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CA

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x118

HOW CHRIS GOT INTO COFFEE:

Chris got his foot in the door of specialty coffee through a craigslist ad.

WHY CHRIS WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“The people are why. I've only met and worked with great people throughout the industry. I also love coffee, so that helps.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

8 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Quality Control

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

Best of Panama, 2009

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, USA

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

“Some say I'm an expert comic book reader; a world class movie watcher; mid-level mobile photographer; and an ever constant pebble wrestler. Some say.”

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Kriss Kross/ ‘Totally Krossed Out’

CHRIS MONTPLAISIR

LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CA

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710

HOW CHRIS GOT INTO COFFEE:

After 17 years in Commercial Printing, Chris was ready for a change.

WHY CHRIS WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“The people are why. I've only met and worked with great people throughout the industry. I also love coffee, so that helps.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

3 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Logistics

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

“Playing mediocre roller hockey, trying to find a great IPA, 80s new wave/alternative msuic, and letterboxing.”

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Blondie/'Paralell Lines' was my first grown up album. Story of Star Wars was my first childhood record.

MARK INMAN

DIRECTOR OF NORTH AMERICA SALES

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW MARK GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Mark took a job working as a Barista and Store Manager for Coffee People/Portland Oregon while in college. He fell in love with the industry and turned it into a long and fruitful career.

WHY MARK WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“For me, I have remained in the Specialty Coffee industry because it offers real opportunity for small farmers, globally, to break the chain of poverty associated with growing coffee (commodity). Growing up in an agricultural community - I have seen firsthand the challenges that face small farming and wanted to be a part of a movement to change that reality.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

28 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Roaster, Barista, International Development, Small Business Owner, World Coffee Events/ World Barista Championship Chair, Chair of the Roasters Guild, Former SCAA President

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

Good Food Awards, Cup of Excellence, Numerous Regional Cupping Competitions

AWARDS RECEIVED:

Green Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 – Sonoma County

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Certified Coffees (Organic/FT/RFA/etc.), Organic Agriculture, Small Business Development, ‘Green Business’, Health and Fitness, Lost Trades (tailoring, watchmaking, cobbler, barbering)

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Kiss/ ‘Kiss Alive II (1977)’

HOBBIES:

Spending time with his son, Cooper.

COLLEEN WALSH

LOGISTICS SUPERVISOR

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

Colleen has over 20 years experience in international and domestic logistics. Since she's been a coffee lover since the tender age of 8, she is thrilled to bring her experience to the Olam Specialty Coffee team (and the free coffee doesn't hurt).

RITESH SHARAN

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710

HOW RITESH GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"Got my opportunity in Coffee by chance; Olam Indonesia needed a business manager and I wanted to move out of Nigeria and we had a match made in heaven..mostly! I was a 100% tea drinker and for me coffee meant Instant coffee. It has been a special(ty) learning curve..."

WHY RITESH WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"I love the work, I love the company, I love the people I work with and I really love the coffee."

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

5 years

POSITIONS HELD:

International Development, Mill Manager, Business Head

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Indonesia, India

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Coffee Trading, Strategy Mgmt, Human Resources, Fantasy Literature, Armed Forces, Indian Light Music, Food & more Food, Useless Trivia, Manchester United

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Boney M/'Ten Thousand Lightyears'

SAMANTHA ROMERO

COFFEE TRADING ASSISTANT

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710

HOW SAMANTHA GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"I am 3rd generation of a family owned exporting company in Peru. So I guess I have been in the coffee world since I was born and started drinking coffee based beverages since I was 8 y/o (more like LATTES because of the MILK-COFFEE proportion) and then transitioned to more "cappuccino-like" beverages and eventually black coffee at around 12 y/o. I simply love coffee. I continued on my own academic path in Sociology, but was then introduced to the family business to help our coffee farmers and lead the CSR department. Eventually I took some small agricultural, green bean, roasting courses which got me fully immersed in the coffee world. In 2016 I did my Masters in Coffee Science and Economics, which was my last formal academic course/lecture I took on coffee but I have never stop wanting to learn more about it."

WHY SAMANTHA WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"I think Specialty Coffee is a great way to close the loop and connect Origin and Final Consumer by teaching both sides: Who drinks your product? Who produces your coffee?. Specialty coffee for me is the most HUMAN side of coffee.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

5 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Roaster, Barista, International Development, Exporter, Quality Control.

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Vegan cooking and baking.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Millennium - Backstreet Boys

MARIA XIMENA CORTES

QUALITY CONTROL ASSISTANT

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW XIMENA GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Ximena got her start in coffee in Cali, Colombia, where she was born and where coffee is a way of life. Growing up, the natural thing was to wake up first thing in the morning to a hearty breakfast accompanied by coffee and surrounded by family. It wasn't just an experience for the senses but a ritual or tradition that brought much joy and good memories. Today she is excited to be able to enjoy and be around coffee for a living.

WHY XIMENA WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“I have discovered an area in which I can truly enjoy myself and love what I do.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

Less than a year

POSITIONS HELD:

Logistics, quality control

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Traveling, enthusiastic foodie, movie marathoner, all things 80's

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Chumbawamba - Tubthumper

MILKA TESFA

QUALITY CONTROL ASSISTANT

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW MILKA GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"I grew up with coffee being a huge factor in my culture. Being Eritrean, coffee is a necessity. Its a tradition to have coffee at least 2 -3 times a day as well as at our festivities with family and friends. It gives us the time to enjoy each others company."

WHY MILKA WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“I have grown a newfound love for coffee and each day I am learning and growing in this coffee world.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

1 1/2 months

POSITIONS HELD:

Quality Control

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Eritrea

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Music, food, traveling, basketball and movies.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Destiny's Child/ 'Survivor'

BRANDON THIESSEN

COFFEE TRADER

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

Phone: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW BRANDON GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Brandon got his start after meeting coffee buyers while working in humanitarian aid in Africa.

WHY BRANDON WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“Our industry is full of the best people.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

8 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Construction Manager for a Wet Mill, Sourcing and Marketing of Burundi Specialty Coffee, Coffee Trading

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Africa and Colombia

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

US Brewer’s Cup Regional and National Competitions

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Recovering from trail running injuries; Spending paychecks on collecting old jazz records

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Gordon by Barenaked Ladies (on cassette), though these days he’d much rather talk about Miles Davis or Hank Mobley

TODD MACKEY

TRAINING MANAGER

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x116

HOW TODD GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Todd needed a flexible job as a 'starving artist' musician and found himself making espresso. From there he was bit by the specialty coffee bug and had to learn everything he could and go as deep as he could go.

WHY TODD WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“I work in specialty coffee because of people. I am continually moved by the quality of individuals I find myself working alongside within the trade. My hope is to build prosperity in partnership with and for all stakeholders within the specialty coffee value chain, farmer to barista.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

11 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Roaster, Barista, Small Business Owner, Quality Control, Trainer

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

USA, Uganda, Costa Rica

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

USBC, Brewer's Cup, the fabled "NERBC", and many a Providence Coffee society Latte Art Throwdown.

AWARDS RECEIVED:

No awards, but a handsome list of certifications: CQI Q Grader, CQI Q Grader Instructor, SCAA Specialized Lead Instructor, SCAA Coffee Taster Levels 1&2, SCAA Roaster Level 1&2, SCAA Barista Level 1&2.

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Small business startup, capacity building with teams, coffee quality evaluation, roast development, coffee brewing, training strategies and program development.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Boyz II Men/ ‘Cooleyhighharmoney’ (on cassette)

HOBBIES:

Spending time with his wife Grace, daughter Ayla Mae, and son August – gardening, cycling, throwing Frisbees, running, playing music, and listening to records.

ALAN MATHEWS

GM FINANCE

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710

Alan manages all Olam Specialty Coffee's finances and accounting.

AMY BRODERICK

JUNIOR TRADER

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x120

HOW AMY GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Amy got her start in coffee working for a roaster in Colorado as a crêpe-maker. Having lived above and befriended the owner of a crêperie while living in Nice, France, she was serendipitously recruited into the specialty coffee world. 

WHY AMY WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“I've quickly learned that coffee is more than just the contents of a cup. It is a facet of agriculture, industry, trade, and service. It touches people’s lives at every level and from crop to cup is an integral part of cultures across the world. This industry is one that I believe can truly encourage growth and international development and change lives for the better.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

3 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Barista, International Development

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Tanzania, Kenya and Senegal

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Economics, International Development, Health/Education Initiatives, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ukulele covers

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Sum-41/'Does This Look Infected'

ALYSSA ANGUS

JUNIOR LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x122

HOW ALYSSA GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

LinkedIn and luck.  

WHY ALYSSA WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"With eight years and counting in the natural food industry, it seems to make sense. And who doesn't dig coffee?"

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

Just getting started, other than a spell as a barista in college.

POSITIONS HELD:

Barista, Logistics

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Event planning, word games, David Sedaris, and hitting trees on the disc golf course.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Beastie Boys/'Licensed to Ill'

IAN KLUSE

SOURCING DIRECTOR & SENIOR COFFEE TRADER

OFFICE: OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW IAN GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Ian started his career in coffee working in the Cupping Lab at Holland Coffee California, back in 1999

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

17 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Coffee Trader, QC

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

Cup of Excellence – El Salvador, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia; Gems of Aruku - India

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Village People/ 'Go West'

HOBBIES:

Spending time with his wife, four children, mastiff, chickens, and occasionally a mountain lion (or something big) that eats his chickens before he can.

KAREN SAA

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER

OFFICE: OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

Phone: +1 (914) 920-2710 x102

HOW KAREN GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Karen's worked in Westchester, NY as a logistics Coordinator for an Oil Company. She wanted to work in the City and be exposed to opportunities offered in a metropolitan environment so she applied at Olam and was hired as the Logistics Manager for Cashews, then moved within the company in different commodities and landed in Coffee 6 years ago.

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

6 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Logistics

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Colombia (Karen is Colombian)

COFFEE AWARDS RECEIVED:

10 years at Olam; Growth Impact Player at Olam

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Certified Cocoa Grader and Problem Solver with 3 kids.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Spanish Rock/ 'Mana'

HOBBIES:

Karen loves Latin culture and spending time with her two girls, baby boy, and husband.

MIKE FERGUSON

CONTENT CONSULTANT

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (404) 769-7056

HOW MIKE GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

I was pursuing a career in association management and took a job as director of marketing and communications at the Specialty Coffee Association of America, where I worked for nine years, eventually becoming Chief of Staff. But I'd been bitten hard by the coffee bug and left an association career behind to work for a variety of coffee companies.

WHY MIKE WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

In my experience, it's impossible to be bored in the coffee industry. It's too complex, there's too much going on, and that means the coffee industry is overflowing with great stories, whether its ancient history or today's news. But ultimately, I stay for the people. There is something about people who work in specialty coffee, an intrinsic motivation that makes them interesting and generally goodhearted.

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

Over 20 years

POSITIONS HELD:

Marketing, communications, public relations

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

"Expertise" might be a stretch, but the coffee region I have spent the most time in is Guatemala.

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

1) Writing. 2) Writing. 3) Writing. Coffee history, industry analysis, profiles, anything and everything related to coffee, including several coffee related short stories for Sprudge.com, and even a coffee poem or two (see awards below). I also collect cast iron pans, vintage cutlery, and ephemera.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Fragile by Yes

COMPETITIONS JUDGED:

Sometimes they let me run the stop watch at barista competitions.

COFFEE RELATED AWARDS RECEIVED:

Only award related to coffee in 20 years: second place in the 2009 "Davis Demitasse" a contest for coffee related poetry. The poem was titled, "The True Story of Kaldi."

MICHELLE ANARIBA

JR LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

OFFICE: HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

PHONE: +1 (707) 431-9500

HOW MICHELLE GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

Michelle got her start in coffee in 2008 when she picked up a second job as an export assistant for the Honduran Coffee Institute.

WHY MICHELLE WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

“I have found a career in which my work no longer feels like work but the fruit of my passion. In coffee I discover that there are more good people than bad people.”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

8 years

POSITIONS HELD:

International Development, Exporter, Public Relations

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

Honduras (her home country)

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

"I am a Jack of all traders but master of none. I love dancing salsa.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Pies Descalzos - Shakira"

DAVID ZACHARY

FINANCIAL ANALYST

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x119

HOW DAVID GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

If you ask David how he got into coffee, he'll tell you it was simply fate.

WHY DAVID WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"I feel strongly that coffee is the best ice cream flavor."

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

David is brand new to working in coffee!

POSITIONS HELD:

Finance

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

India, China, United Kingdom

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

MS Excel, pivot tables, NL Hold'em, gaming (digital & board), and lawn care.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Will Smith/'Big Willie Style'

CLARA KATSURAGI

MARKETING COORDINATOR

OFFICE: NEW YORK, NY / PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710 x117

HOW CLARA GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

This is my first experience working in the coffee industry, however, prior to this role, I was working in the wine industry. I decided to enter this industry because I enjoyed my time working in wine, and figured coffee is not so different. The added benefit is that it's non-alcoholic, while still being delicious.

WHY CLARA WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

I decided to work in specialty coffee because it not only tastes great, it's also a booming industry that brings joy to people all over the world. Coffee is a part of many people's lives and cafe culture offers a safe, aesthetically pleasing space to get together and build a community..

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

Just getting started!

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

N/A with coffee, however, I have worked with wine producing countries mostly in Europe such as Italy, France and Spain.

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

Yoga, Japanese food, music digging.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Aaliyah - age ain't nothing but a number

JESSICA DESFOSSES

ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

OFFICE: PROVIDENCE, RI

PHONE: +1 (914) 920-2710

HOW JESSICA GOT INTO SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"I ended up here purely by chance, but I am thrilled to officially join the industry."

WHY JESSICA WORKS IN SPECIALTY COFFEE:

"Although I am brand new to specialty coffee, I am finding it to be a perfect home for me, and am excited to learn all there is to know about the industry and the product!”

TIME SPENT WORKING IN COFFEE:

New to the industry.

COUNTRIES OF EXPERTISE:

U.S., U.K..

OTHER SUBJECTS OF EXPERTISE:

I consider myself an expert in becoming an expert... I go all in when learning about something that interests me or that I am passionate about.

FIRST ALBUM EVER BOUGHT:

Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion