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What is your position in the coffee industry?
barista trainer, coffee enthusiast, industry professional, supplier, entrepreneur
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
Tacoma
How many years have you been in the industry?
35
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
maybe
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
I will be the first to admit that I am not a skilled barista. In fact, I have a one group, a two group, and a brand new 3 group in my shop, and although I will take an occasional shot, I prefer to drink drip. I know how to brew, hold and serve the best coffee.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
I have travelled all of North America selling coffee equipment and coffee. I'm not really too interested in travelling any longer, but I know the industry and am willing to share some of my knowledge
About Me:
I have been in the coffee industry since 1976. I began my career delivering coffee to coffee shops and restaurants throughout the Seattle/Tacoma area. Back then Starbucks was unheard of outside of Seattle. In 1978 I moved to the SF Bay area and really discovered what dark roasted gourmet coffee was all about. Roasters such as United, Capricorn, and Peet's were doing quite a good job. In late 1979 I moved back to the Seattle area and have been on the scene throughout the growth over the past 30 plus years.
About My Company:
I purchased a coffee distribution company in the summer of 2004 in Tacoma, WA. My son was graduating from the University of Washington, and while he was going to school he worked for Tony's coffee, making deliveries to establishments in the area. I bought the company; Puget Sound Beverage with the idea that Neil would someday run the business which today does nearly 10 times the volume of business it did 6 1/2 years ago. We are primarily Office Coffee, but we do some expresso and coffee shops as well. We distribute most of the well known brands (Starbucks, Tully's, Peets, etc.) in addition to our private label coffees packed under the Three Peaks label. This coffee is roasted by K&F Select Fine Coffees, a Portland gourmet roaster.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
In general, those involved in the coffee industry are very friendly.
