Location Manager - Tina Adkins
What drew you to the coffee industry?
In 2009, while my daughter worked at Sweetwater, I would come and pick up my new grandson for a few hours a week. Hearing her talk about the farmers, the essence of coffee, seeing the roasting process and meeting Tripp Pomeroy, learning more about it with every visit, I knew I had found a long lasting personal relationship with coffee and all that comes with it.
What's your favorite coffee?
Moka Java Viennese Roast is my go to, top of the list, favorite! My least favorite and this may sound biased is anything other than Sweetwater. I just recently visited our trading partners in Pangoa, Peru. Ahhhhhhhmazing and I am looking forward to going back to learn more and sharing my knowledge.
What do you do outside of Sweetwater Coffee?
Spending as much time as I can with my 2 grandsons, Leathem(6) and Brantley(2 ½).
Photographing everything I can while traveling the countryside on my Harley Davidson 883 sportster. Music festivals and events, I’m always looking for the next adventure. I enjoy introducing our coffee and sharing this coffee world to unsuspecting family and friends.
How many cups of coffee do you consume a day?
The question is how many cups of coffee consume me in a day. I start at home with that first freshly brewed pot of java that tides me over for the 7 minute drive to work, where I sip that Sweetwater brew all day long.
What's your daily driving force?
Every day is a learning experience in the world of coffee and knowing that just a part of what I do contributes to everyone I come in contact with.
Favorite brew method?
Brewing coffee over an open fire while traveling sounds about right. My favorite though is coffee that’s brewed, ready and waiting when I walk into work.
CEO, Business Development & Trading Partner Relations - Tripp Pomeroy
What drew you to the coffee industry?
The opportunity to be part of and run a business that is one of the coolest innovations I have ever seen - mixing business with a meaningful purpose, vision and core values and work directly with small-scale coffee farmers.
What's your favorite coffee?
Need to be careful here – because I cherish ALL of our trading partners… would have to say it’s a tie between Colombia from Fondo Paez and ANEI, Guatemala from Chajul and Manos Campesinas, and Peru from CAC Pangoa. Knowing these folks makes their coffee that much more flavorful for me.
What do you do outside of Sweetwater Coffee?
Mountain biking, hiking, connecting with my two wonderful kids, reading, and visiting with friends whenever possible.
How many cups of coffee do you consume a day?
Two (plus or minus)… but I have a daily ritual that is non-negotiable. First thing, I go down and turn on the water heater. While it’s heating, I scoop 7 rounded tablespoons of French Press grind coffee into my nifty, nay awesome, French Press from Planetary Design. Once the water has come to a boil, I turn off the heater and let the water settle. Then, I pour a little water on the grinds to prime them… several seconds later I fill the coffee press all the way up, pop the top on and sidestep over to my timer and set it for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off – and I can hear it from remarkable distances – I speed-walk back to turn off the timer, press the French Press plunger down, and pour my sweet nectar of the gods into my favorite mug and savor what I know is some of the best coffee in the world. That is when my day officially has started.
What's your daily driving force?
My appreciation of this precious life, the inherent goodness of people, my family and my friends… and the opportunity to work with such a fantastic, diverse group of people (from crop to cup) who are interested in and actively working on making the world a better place.
Favorite brew method?
French Press.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Larry Green - Head Roaster
Reyna Bauer - Assistant Manager
Amanda Tamminga - Production Lead
Vinnie Fiorello - Graphics and Social Media Marketing
Matt Earley - Director of Sales, Marketing, and Community