Coffee Enterprises founder Dan Cox started his career in coffee at a start-up coffee roasting company in 1981. For the next decade, he held numerous positions in coffee organizations from retail clerk to VP and junior partner.

In 1992 he was named the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s “Man of the Year” and received the Distinguished Service Award. During the same year, Dan founded Coffee Enterprises. In 2012 Dan received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Specialty Coffee Association recognizing his contributions to the specialty coffee industry

Spencer began his coffee career in 1994 as a Barista/Café Manager and first roasted coffee in 1995. His management experience includes coffee quality testing and product development, green coffee sourcing and trading, retail marketing, menu development. He has traveled over 30 times to coffee producing countries, touring farms and mills, sourcing the world’s finest coffees.

Spencer is a Licensed Q Grader, and is an active volunteer in the coffee industry, serving the Specialty Coffee Association, the National coffee Association, the Green Coffee Association, and the American society of Testing & Materials in volunteer leadership positions. He is founding member of the Roasters Guild (now Coffee Roasters Guild). A respected writer and technical editor, Spencer is a member of the Editorial Advisory Boards for both ROAST Magazine and Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. He is regular reference source and an industry “insider” for the news media and academic researchers.

Spencer is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, earning degrees in Culinary Arts & Foodservice Management. Spencer was honored by the Specialty Coffee Association of America with the “Outstanding Contribution to the Association Award” and received the Patron Award for extraordinary volunteer leadership.

Read Spencer Turer’s full bio »

Prior to his time at Coffee Enterprises, Vincent worked as a research technician studying the pathways of taste at Penn State’s College of Medicine. His graduate work explored the intricacies of taste signaling and mechanisms for altering taste preferences. Mr. Caloiero also has industry experience working for confectioners Lake Champlain Chocolates and Reese’s.

Vincent is a Licensed Q Grader, a SCAA Certified Golden Cup Technician, a SCAA Certified Lead Instructor and a member of the SCAA Coffee Taster Pathway Committee.

Vincent has an unrelenting passion for all things culinary and is an avid golfer, home-brewer, and beer and wine collector. When not in the kitchen, he enjoys playing the guitar, Nordic skiing, and hiking with his Maremma Sheepdog.

Emery Behanna is the center of communication for the office, processing priority information and keeping communication moving, aware that everyone’s time is valuable. He comes to Coffee Enterprises from a background in the arts, holding a BFA in Illustration from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Before becoming a dedicated administrator, he held positions ranging from barista to print technician, accumulating the skills needed to coordinate an office environment. He is still an active illustrator, writer, and quilter when not behind an office desk.

Nikki DeSarno is a graduate of Kansas State University with a MS degree in Food Science and the University of Vermont with BS degrees in Medical Technology and Nutritional Science. She is a Licensed Q Grader, is HACCP/SQF/PCQI Certified, and has extensive coffee experience as a product development scientist and as a quality assurance technician.

Peter is a graduate of Sterling College and a is Vermont resident. He gained practical knowledge in laboratory techniques from previous work experience in a variety of scientific fields, ranging from limnology to pharmaceuticals. Having joined the quality control team with no prior coffee background, Peter is now a key member of the Physical Testing branch of Coffee Enterprises.

Katherine is a graduate of the University of Boulder (Colorado) with bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology, and earned an Associate of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from Vermont Technical College. She has extensive laboratory experience including data collection, clinical trials, and research. She loves animals as much as she enjoys coffee and tea.

Lauren comes to Coffee Enterprises with product development and quality assurance expertise in the chocolate confectionery and candy making industry. She holds an AOS Baking & Pastry Degree from The Culinary Institute of America, is HACCP certified, a Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and a Specialty Tea Institute Certified Level 2 Taster.

She is a self-described food nerd and is endlessly curious and passionate about all things culinary. She thrives on learning, growing, and applying her knowledge and experience in the food and beverage industry.  

When Lauren isn’t working in the lab, she greatly enjoys cooking, baking, reading, biking, running, gardening, hiking, and traveling.

Coffee culture became an intense interest for Tobin early on in her life, and has grown into a serious passion and commitment. Having worked at a number of local cafés, she has been involved in the continuous development and evolution of Vermont’s coffee culture. When she’s not tasting, making, testing, or talking coffee, she likes to perform on stage and trains professionally as a vocalist. Tobin is a recent graduate of Burlington College with an AF degree in Film and Cinematography. Tobin is a SCA Certified Golden Cup Technician and a Specialty Tea Institute Certified Level II taster.