As the NCA Next Gen Council transitions to the next wave of coffee leaders, we wanted to collectively introduce each council member and allow them to tell their coffee story. As part of our Next Gen spotlight series, Bent Dietrich from American Coffee Corp. sat down with Everett Brown, Managing Director at Westfeldt Brothers, Inc. to discuss the coffee industry and his experiences as an NCA ‘Next Gen-er.’

Bent Dietrich: How did you get started in coffee? What is your current role?

Everett Brown: My career in coffee started in college when I was studying finance at Tulane University. After my first financial securities class, I quickly realized I wanted nothing to do with the securities or banking industry, but still wanted to apply some knowledge I was picking up while pursuing my degree.

I did some independent research and quickly realized that coffee was a future-traded commodity. We didn’t have any commodity-focused courses, but I understood the language well enough to understand trading models. At the time, I was working at a hotdog restaurant in New Orleans and quit my job to become a barista. This was because up until that point, I had never even drunk a cup of coffee before. So, I figured it would be good to at least know what a cappuccino is comprised of. 

After a brief stint as a barista, I did some research on who was trading and importing the beans for PJs Coffee where I worked. I found Westfeldt Brothers, Inc. and sent a cold email and by some miracle, they got back. I asked for a meeting just to learn more about what they do and asked for an internship. If they could just pay me enough to cover my living costs, I would do whatever they wanted. I was just obsessed with getting more knowledge. Six months into my internship, they offered me a job and the rest is history!

BD: What is your favorite aspect of working in the coffee industry?

EB: The people. Simple as that. All of my peers and colleagues are incredible. Everyone I talk to in other industries feels overwhelmed by the number of people that do what they do. They feel isolated. In coffee, I feel as if we’re all a family. I would venture to say almost every trader in America knows each other and treats each other with respect. That is rare in today’s world. I don’t take it for granted.

BD: As an NCA Next Gen-er, where do you see the industry heading? Are there any exciting developments, products, or innovations that capture your interest?

EB: We seem to have a hyper-focus on traceability, but not in the traditional sense. There are a lot of grassroots campaigns trying to start certain initiatives to support certain causes that are company specific: café practices, CSR Initiatives, etc. There are still larger certification programs that exist and help: RA, UTZ, and Fairtrade. But I find it very exciting that individual companies are starting their own bespoke response to issues for suppliers and origins they source from. 

BD: One of the best things our industry does is provide the opportunity to travel. Whether it be to an NCA Convention, an origin trip, or visiting customers, do you have any memorable experiences that come to mind?

EB: I was in Honduras during their presidential election in 2017. It was a wild ride… I’ll keep it at that.

BD: While we’re on the subject of travel, I’d like to touch on the NCA Convention – something I’ve come to look forward to every year. What has your experience been with NCA Conventions?

EB: The NCA was always a highlight of my year for work, but since joining the Next Gen Council, it’s been taken to a completely new level. Simply put, I love attending the NCA convention. I get to see all my peers and now I feel like I am truly involved and have a say. There’s nothing better than that.

BD: How did you get involved with NCA Next Gen?

EB: My boss and president of Westfeldt Brothers, Inc. Shelby Westfeldt Mills, recommended that I join. She helped start the Next Gen Council and mentioned that I should try and get involved if I could. I started by joining the Communications Committee, and when the time came to apply for the Next Gen Council, I jumped at the opportunity and was accepted into the Council. It’s an honor to be involved and the council has some absolute all-stars on it this year.

BD: What has been your favorite part of working with the Next Gen group?

EB: The members that I work with directly on the Next Gen Council are fantastic. All of them are brilliant contributors and constantly challenge me to see issues we face in a new light. Beyond the Council, I’m proud of all of the representatives of the next generation of coffee and am proud to be a member of this community. The future of coffee is certainly in good hands.

BD: What is something you would like to see Next Gen focus on to help young professionals in the coffee industry?

EB: I’d like to see better resources for Next Gen-ers who want to try new careers or experience different aspects of the industry. I have only ever experienced the green coffee trading side of things. I would love to have the opportunity to be a roaster for a day or exchange information with other people in the industry. I’m envisioning something more than just a conversation – more of a hands-on experience. Like a mentorship program that might already be in the works… 😉

BD: Let’s say it’s the NCA Convention and we are hitting a cool, local coffee shop to catch up over a cup of coffee. What is your go-to order?

EB: Double-shot iced latte with oat milk and a splash of simple syrup.