First of all, I just want to say how excited I am to be on the Redshift team! This really is a dream come true for me. I thought I would start by giving a little information about myself and how I came to being the head of coffee procurement here at Redshift.
I have been in the coffee industry now for nearly 10 years, starting as a barista in Portland at a growing company that has since been bought by a large holding company. There, I worked my way through virtually all aspects of coffee production, participated in many Barista Competitions and before I left was running their cupping department. I have had my Q Certification now for two years so when the opportunity to become head coffee buyer here at Redshift was offered I jumped at the chance. I am really looking forward to start traveling to origin and meet with our producing partners.
The facilities here are unusual, unlike any coffee roasting company I have visited before. There are a few areas that are off-limits, I guess Redshift Corporate are very secretive about some of their technology but everyone here is really friendly, though the Roast Masters have all taken a vow of silence so I don’t know much about them.
My predecessor left behind a number of samples that I am excited to get through. He clearly was very knowledgeable and selective although he appears to have left rather abruptly. I have asked around about who he was, thinking that I may have met him before. No one will give me an answer, only a blank stare for a moment then they change the subject.
My recruitment here was, honestly, a bit odd. While attending the Specialty Coffee Association Trade Conference and Exhibition last year I met a micro-importer company named Hurqalya Coffee Importers, apparently out of Indonesia. I had never heard of them before, neither any of my colleagues. Anyway, they invited me to an exclusive cupping and there I was introduced to the folks here at Redshift. When I went through the exhibition hall again the next day I could not find their booth and no one I spoke with knew where they went. In fact, nobody could remember them being there at all. I thought is all strange, I knew that I didn’t imagine it, but I could find no information about them in the vendors list.
Anyway, I received an email from Randy Carter, Operations Director of Redshift Coffee inviting me to come interview for a possible position as Head Coffee Buyer. I couldn’t refuse and surprisingly I got the job! I can’t wait to share with you all the fantastic coffees we have to offer and invite you on my journey as we discover what promises to be the most exclusive coffees on offer anywhere.
