pasteboard

This is Scott Lucey on a canopy tour in El Salvador. Scott is a great colleague and friend to the coffee community because they don’t get any more enthusiastic than this guy. He and his co-trainer at Alterra Coffee Roasters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Justin Teisl, have done a simply amazing job at energizing the baristas at Alterra by developing in-house throwdown events and latte art competitions.

This is Holly Bastin — she’s holding Aaron Duckworth’s adorable baby, Jacob. Holly is a barista trainer at PT’s Coffee in Kansas, and she’s a hell of a woman. Holly doesn’t waste time with bull; she’s a straight-shooter all the way. She has trained the baristas at PT’s to become champions; Pete Licata, for example, came in 2nd at the USBC behind Heather Perry this year– that’s a new record for PT’s.

This is Shane Devereaux of habit coffee + culture in Victoria, B.C. Shane is a relatively new coffee bar owner, and he was asked to join the Editorial Advisory Board because he has been so careful and thoughtful about his approach to selling coffee. He is an excellent example of a retailer who does it “right.” From his extensive business plan, to his research of coffee and equipment, to his instinct for atmosphere and location, Shane is an inspiration for other potential café owners. He’s a lot of fun to drink beer with, too.

This is Em! Otherwise known as, Emily Oak of Australia. Her experience in the coffee world is extensive. She’s a former Australian Barista Champion, was the youngest ever WBC judge in 2004 in Trieste, is a hemisphere coordinator for the WBC currently, and most importantly, is the very proud mom of Oscar, her 2-year-old. Em has written for Barista Magazine a bunch and will continue to write as long as Oscar allows her to. She’s got her finger on the pulse of the thriving, fascinating culture of coffee in Australia, and is equally enthusiastic about the general growth of and excitement surrounding specialty coffee on a global level.

Zak Rye. He’s completely insane in a coffee-smart kind of way. Well, and also just in a completely insane kind of way. He is the co-owner of the Ugly Mug Cafe in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he is a barista, a roaster and a hooligan. He wrote a Barista at Large about his wild trip to Amsterdam in a recent issue of Barista Mag, and he hits all the coffee shows and competitions that he can. He has a unique focus on the community of his café as well as the broader perspective on coffee as a national and global community.

Last but not least, it’s Jon Lewis, one of the specialty coffee industry’s superheros. This is a photo of Jon with his daughter, Aya. Jon is a master barista, a mighty fine roaster, an entrepreneaur, a dreamer, a poet, a husband, a father, and a friend to many, many, many people. He’s got great insights. It’s like, duh. Of course Barista Magazine would ask Jon to be on the editorial board.