Announcing the Slate of Candidates for the 2019-2021 CTG Leadership Council
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By Hylan Joseph
The Coffee Technicians Guild (CTG) is proud to announce the slate of candidates, as recommended and approved by the nominating committee and current CTG Leadership Council, for the 2019-2021 Leadership Council Elections!
For the five open positions, the Committee has nominated Catherine Foley, Sharla Holladay, David Miller, Marco Serri (Incumbent), and Marzia Viotti. View more information about the slate of candidates below.
Voting is now open through October 11, 2019. The new Leadership Council members will be announced by mid-October and invited to participate at the in-person leadership meeting in Houston, TX on November 1, 2019.
Slate of Candidates
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.
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.
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).
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.
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 Our Current Leadership Council Members Who Are Cycling Off
While we’re in the midst of election season, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the Leadership Council members who have reached the end of their term:
Micah Teeters has stepped down as the next CTGLC Chair, having served us with for the past two years. His contribution, experience, and presence on the Leadership Council has been greatly appreciated and we wish him the best.
Cameron Ankele and Gene Lemos are also cycling off after this term, both having served on the Leadership Council since the Guild’s inception.
Finally, Shad Baiz will be cycling off after his term as Immediate Past Chair. Shad is one of the Founders of the Coffee Technicians Guild, his tireless efforts and commitment to establishing the Guild will never be forgotten. He has been a constant source of inspiration and a guiding leader to the coffee technician community.
The next chair will be Hylan Joseph, with Richard Muhl as Vice-Chair and Lorenzo Roncali as the 2nd Vice-Chair. Jason Jones will become the Immediate Past Chair.