Poverty Bay Management Team

Dan Olmstead

CEO and Master Roaster

Dan has 22 years of experience in the coffee industry includng opening 4 retail locations and designing every aspect of the Poverty Bay Coffee Company roasting-production facility. In 1987 Dan and Sara partnered up to open Especially Espresso in Federal Way, Washington. Dan has done everything within the company from being the barista, running for supplies, roasting beans, to managing the entire company. As Poverty Bay Coffee Company has grown from a startup coffee roaster in 1997 to a well-respecte and influential member of the Seattle Micro-Roasting Community, Dan has insisted that the core values of the company was founded on - never be compromised.  Born in a small town in Nebraska, he has a fundamental understanding that hard work is the reason for the success of any business and loves to help any customer achieve their own success in any way he can.

Sara Stracke

Chief Financial Officer

Sara has 22 years of experience in the coffee industry beginning in 1987 when she started Especially Espresso with Dan. Over the years, Sara has done anything and everything the company has needed her to do. She has developed into the financial expert and keeps Poverty Bay Coffee Company on the road to continued growth. Sara was born in Kent, Washington and has a wealth of understanding of the Northwest coffee culture that has become an invaluable asset.

Kirsten Grant

Director of Sales

Kirsten helped found Poverty Bay Coffee Company and has been in the industry for 18 years. When the company began roasting, Kirsten made it's goal to make a difference by the commitment to buy and sell 100% Sustainable Shade-Grown Coffee. Kirsten is a shareholder of Poverty Bay Coffee Company and Cascade Valley Blends and sits on the Board of Directors for both companies, helping make decisions that will continue to positively impact the industry in ways that are good for the farmers, the environment and each individual coffee drinker. 

Alice Olmstead

Vice President of Marketing/Retail Manager

Alice has 12 years of experience in the coffee industry, includng designing the Poverty Bay Cafe & Deli in Federal Way, Washington. Alice and Dan met in 1996 at Especially Espresso and were married in the fall of 1997. With a deep love of coffee, she devoted her skills and experience to making the Poverty Bay Coffee Company a reality. Over the years, she has managed to make a personal connection with every customer that has walked through the door and has successful developed her staff along the way. Alice contributes to not only marketing, but management, development and to overall company strategy.

Christine Josok

Vice President Public Relations and Marketing

Over the past twelve years, Christine’s focus at Poverty Bay Coffee Company has evolved from hands-on production to Public Relations and Marketing. In the beginning, her interest began with her love of the Cold-Brewed Espresso that is now one of the signature products of  Poverty Bay Coffee Company.

 An international traveler with a great interest in cultures around the world, especially countries where coffee is grown, Christine has visited with the farmers of the Malinal and Café Selvanica Estates.

Brooke Rohrer

Internet Marking Specialist and Web Developer

Brooke has been involved with Poverty Bay Coffee Company for the past 10 years. She started out as a barista at Especially Espresso in 1999 and has continue to apply her skillset to the success of the company. Brooke graduated from San Diego State University in 2008 with a degree. She works full-time as an Internet Marketing Specialist and has a deep understanding of the e-commerce industry. With her help, Poverty Bay Coffee Company has been able to reach a broader target market without losing the local coffee roaster feel.