Meet The Pros

Jay & Jen - Owners

Time In Speciality Coffee

Founded Barista Pro Shop in 1994

Favorite Drink

Americano

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Dr. Smoothie Organic Strawberry Smoothie Concentrate

Bio

We started working with cafes in 1994, baking 3 flavors of scones in our bakery--originally called "J Street Biscuit Co." We began adding allied products in 1997--our first three brands were Ghirardelli, Da Vinci and Oregon Chai. We exhibited at the SCAA annual Event in Denver in the Spring of 1998 and haven't looked back since. We've baked a lot of scones, rolled a lot of burritos, done a lot of deliveries and unloaded a lot of trucks!

Danielle - Customer Service Barista

Time In Speciality Coffee

4 years

Favorite Drink

Vanilla Cappuccino Au Natural

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Monin Lavender Syrup

Bio

Danielle started in the coffee industry her freshman year of college working at the Human Bean which she looks back on as a great learning experience. However, she soon transitioned to Starbucks where she worked for six months. Then Danielle found a real home at her local coffee shop, The Blue Mug, where she really fell in love with making drinks and everything coffee. During Danielle’s time at the Blue Mug, she interacted often with Barista Pro Shop and she always thought working for BPS would be fun! She stayed at The Blue Mug for almost three years until she graduated from The University of Northern Colorado. After getting married this past July and relocating to Fort Collins, she worked for a quick two months at Cafe Ardour (soon to be Linden Street Cafe). Finally she ended up at Barista Pro Shop this past fall and she could not be happier!

Elyse - Customer Service Manager

Time In Speciality Coffee

8 years

Favorite Drink

Chocolate Toffee Latte

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Frozen Bean Horchata Beverage Mix

Bio

Elyse has worked and supervised in the corporate coffee world with a work history that includes both drive-thru and sit-down cafes. She has had hands-on experience with fully automatic machines, as well as many of the products and supplies that BPS carries. Elyse resides in Loveland with her husband and daughter. Her favorite way to unwind is with a book and a cup of hot coffee on a rainy day.

Larissa - Customer Service Barista

Time In Speciality Coffee

5 years

Favorite Drink

Hazelnut Divinity Latte

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

David Rio Power Chai® with Matcha

Bio

Larissa started in the coffee industry as a second year college student. She has been in love with the products and customer interaction ever since. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Community Health Education, she worked as the manager of a local coffee shop and as the director for a local senior center. However, working with Barista Pro Shop has been her dream job - she was overjoyed to join the team! When she’s not at work she calls Greeley home. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids (who are actually dogs,) hiking, camping, fishing and enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors.   

Tia - Hospitality & Brand Specialist

Time In Speciality Coffee

12 years

Favorite Drink

White Frost Flower Mocha

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Ghirardelli® Sweet Ground White Chocolate & Cocoa

Bio

Tia first joined the coffee industry 11 years ago working for locally owned coffee shop Moxie Java. She was quickly promoted to a management position, but after 8 years of faithful customer service it was time to develop a deeper understanding of the coffee world. Tia began working at Barista Pro Shop as a part time Customer Service Representative and Marketing Assistant under the advisement of an SCAA Certified Barista Head Judge. After two years of mentorship from such a knowledgeable barista, Tia found her stride in the Customer Service department and took on a full time position. Tia has now been with Barista Pro Shop for almost 5 years. Since working here, Tia has judged numerous Latte Art Throw Downs, helped brainstorm signature blends with Cappuccine during their “Making Great Frappes & Smoothies” class at Coffee Fest, and judged at the U.S. Latte Art Championships in 2015. Tia has been known to put White Chocolate in everything and enjoys mixing up some tasty drinks for her fellow co-workers.  Although Tia is usually at a computer or on the phone, there have been known sightings of her perfecting some sweet yo-yo moves at Coffee Fest. If you catch her she may give you a free yo-yo lesson...

Tori - Customer Service Barista

Time In Speciality Coffee

3.5 Years

Favorite Drink

Hazelnut Iced Coffee

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Ghirardelli® Sweet Ground White Chocolate & Cocoa

Bio

Tori has spent the last couple of years prior to Barista Pro Shop working in multiple cafes that range from corporate, franchise, to privately owned businesses. She has a passion for health and nutrition and loves to talk with customers about the nutritional information of the products that BPS carries. On top of her love of coffee, she holds an Associate’s Degree from Aims Community College and lives with her husband and their daughter in Greeley.

Dana - Marketing Assistant

Time In Speciality Coffee

1 year

Favorite Drink

Tiramisu Cappuccino

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Two Leaves and a Bud Organic Better Morning Blend

Bio

Though relatively new to the industry, Dana has been on its fringe for many years. Coffee has inadvertently become a common thread running through her community. After exhibiting her artwork at Zoe’s Cafe in Greeley, she began volunteering there. During that time, she had the opportunity to visit the family owned coffee farm in Peru that partners with Zoe’s. Friendships made while serving the nonprofit later led her to Alaska where she spent a summer trying her hand as a full-time barista in a remote mountain town. Still the coffee enthusiast, she spends nearly every Saturday morning at the John Galt Coffee Company sipping lavender latte’s working on art projects with friends.

Dana is excited to to learn more about the products and techniques of the trade here at Barista Pro Shop. With her degree in fine art she brings a creative eye and fresh perspective to our social media.

Matthew - Director of Marketing

Time In Speciality Coffee

3.5 years

Favorite Drink

Orange Truffle

Favorite Product in the BPS Catalog

Frizz Coffee Frizz Coffee Sweet Bubbly Espresso

Bio

After graduating from Colorado State University in 2012 with a degree in Business Administration - Marketing, Matthew joined Barista Pro Shop in October 2013 and quickly became infatuated by the specialty coffee and tea industry.  Since then, he has completed a barista certification from The American Barista & Coffee School. 

Although he has never worked behind the bar as a barista, Matthew has worked in the foodservice industry for over 7 years. So, he's experienced first hand the value in delivering unparalleled customer experiences as well as the challenges inherent to combining high quality and consistency all the while achieving swift service times.