Announcing the 2019 CTG Leadership Council Elections Results

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By Hylan Joseph

Announced last month, the Nominating Committee of the Coffee Technicians Guild put forth five (5) candidates for the 2019 Leadership Council Elections, and we are pleased to confirm that the slate was approved by the CTG membership!

Our newly-elected Leadership Council members are:

  • Cat Foley, Owner of Homage Coffee

  • Sharla Holladay, Co-Owner of Best Beverage Equipment Service

  • David Miller, Proprietor of Legends Workshop

  • Marco Serri (Incumbent), Nuova Simonelli

  • Marzia Viotti, Brand Ambassador of Fiorenzato m.c. srl.

More information on the new members of the Leadership Council may be found below. View the full Leadership Council and contact them here.

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CATHERINE “CAT” FOLEY

OWNER, HOMAGE COFFEE SERVICE SPECIALISTS (RICHMOND, VIRGINIA)

I got my start in the coffee industry slinging lattes in a second wave coffee shop in Lexington, Kentucky. It was during my time working at Heine Bros Coffee in Louisville, Kentucky that I recognized the coffee industry as a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring community. During my 6 years with HBC – a founding member of Cooperative Coffees – I spent 8 months in Guatemala learning Spanish (I am mediocre), building houses with Habitat for Humanity, and, of course, spending time at the coop coffee farm.

I moved to Virginia in 2009 and took a job with Starbucks to dive into management. I learned a lot about numbers, staffing, and most importantly, customer service. But nothing could prepare me for the opening of Homage Coffee in 2015. Starting a service company from scratch is hard work and there are several hurdles but I am excited for the opportunity to work in the CTG to help strengthen our tech community.

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SHARLA HOLLADAY

CO-OWNER, BEST BEVERAGE EQUIPMENT SERVICE (LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS)

In 2001, John Holladay and I started Best Beverage Equipment Service as a remanufacturing facility for coffee, tea, cappuccino, and other commercial equipment. With hard work, creativity and the ability to recognize, demystify and solve problems, the company grew. Now we offer complete beverage equipment management programs with a call center, technical support, education facilities, nationwide field service, sales, and logistics. Currently, I sit on the board of the RIC (Remanufacturing Industries Council), representing the coffee and beverage equipment sector.

My whole adult life I've considered myself as "in the coffee industry," yet I've never sold coffee. To work on the machines to make great coffee, one must be educated on what great coffee tastes like! So we obtained quality in brewing education, attended cuppings and encouraged our technicians to see the goal of great coffee as part of their job.

But my work doesn't fully define me. I'm a mother, wife, daughter and new grandma. I'm passionate about sustainable living and entrepreneur programs. I've opened yoga studios, coordinated international yoga retreats and volunteered in the community. Daily I work to empower the amazing people that choose to be a part of the Best Beverage team.

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DAVID MILLER

PROPRIETOR, LEGENDS WORKSHOP (HAMILTON, ONTARIO CANADA)

I am the proprietor of Legends Workshop, a servicing dealership for commercial espresso and drip coffee equipment. In its 6.5 years, I have grown the business from a simple onsite repair company to a factory authorized sales and service facility representing 14 manufacturers, with the ability to provide consultation, leasing and complete turnkey systems as well as cosmetic and functional restoration and modification of coffee equipment. 

My work as a technician is informed by a broad foundation of related work experience and education in the construction and material handling equipment industry spanning 17 years; including inter-provincial trade licenses in Heavy Equipment, Powered Lift Truck and Industrial Vehicle Propane/CNG Fuel Systems, and specialization in AC and DC Electric Industrial Vehicle Drive Systems. I spent equal amounts of time in the shop performing major overhauls and in the field managing direct client relationships and large fleets of machinery. This related work experience has allowed me to apply creative solutions to difficult problems, and manage client resources in a way that balances safety with earning potential. 

I’ve written technical articles for the Coffee Technicians Guild and Perfect Daily Grind and currently serve on the Content Creator Group for the Coffee Technician Skills Program (CTechP).

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MARCO SERRI (INCUMBENT)

NUOVA SIMONELLI SPA (ITALY)

I have been involved in the coffee industry for 4 years and reside in Italy. After graduating in Electronic Engineering at the University of Ancona, I started my career in the coffee industry in 2016 as technical engineer in the customer care department of Simonelli Group. My career has brought me to many countries around the world, providing technical training and promoting new technologies in the coffee world. I am involved in writing service manuals and create useful material for the technicians. I’ve also contributed in the development of Simonelli Group education center by being part of their Project Development team. 

I am always available to the technician community, and want to help them out with their daily tasks. I enjoy serving on the Coffee Technicians Guild leadership council for the last few years and look forward to continued service in this next term. 

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MARZIA VIOTTI

BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR FIORENZATO M.C. SRL, ITALY (LONDON, ENGLAND)

When I was a teenager my dream was open a coffee shop: I didn’t know this goal would push me to become a professional barista and discover a passion for training. I’ve spent the last 10 years helping people to develop their barista skills teaching SCA courses. Last year I joined Fiorenzato Italian grinders factory close to Venice as their brand ambassador and technical trainer for technicians and baristas.

Thank you to all Coffee Technicians Guild members who voted in this election!

We would also like to extend a thank you for the service of Micah Teeters, and Cameron Ankele, Gene Lemos, and Shad Baiz, whose elected terms are coming to a close.

For more information about elections, see the CTG Bylaws.