Coffee People
The business of coffee relies on the shared passion of coffee people all over the world, and this section is dedicated to introducing the members of our diverse, dynamic supply chain. Here we ask a few fun questions of our partners at origin, our employees, and our customers; and we share their answers with you so that you can get to know them like we do—in their own words.
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Ryan Stickles, Production Team Leader
As a red-haired, freckle-faced kid growing up in Washington, DC, Ryan learned to fight early. (Don't call him Opie.) He later channeled this energy into sports as a high-school jock, and then sublimated those athletic tendencies into rabid Terps fandom as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. He studied marine biology (which was oh-so-trendy in the early nineties) before moving to Baltimore to completely ignore his major. Rather, he spent his time mentally documenting the streets so he'd be prepared to watch HBO's The Wire once it was written. He also worked at Ikea. After a brief detour in Rochester, NY, Ryan relocated to North Carolina in 1999 where he's worked in bicycles, wine, and now coffee, proving him to be a man of discriminating tastes. He currently resides in Raleigh with his super-cool wife of three years and her imaginary tiny dog. Q: What coffee are you currently drinking?
Teka from Burundi. Pretty tasty.
Q: Choose your favorite coffee and brewing method.
At home, it’s Finca Mauritania in a press pot. At work, I’m pulling shots of Espresso La Forza or whatever our single-origin espresso may be.
Q: Who at Counter Culture Coffee would you most like to arm-wrestle, and why?
Have to go with Bionic Brian Ludviksen. Want to try out the surgically reconstructed arm.
Q: What is your favorite book?
I’ll always have a soft spot for all things Kerouac, but Michael Chabon’s, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is one of the better books I’ve read in a long time.
Q: What keeps you busy outside of work?
I have a pretty mundane existence. I cook, go to the gym, watch a lot of movies, and hang out with friends.
Q: Share an interesting fact you've learned about coffee while working at Counter Culture Coffee and name the person from whom you learned it.
Being a bit of a coffee novice when I came to Counter Culture, I learn something new everyday. I find the info I get from Kim Elena and Peter about our growers to be the most interesting.
Q: When you were 8 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I would have to say night watchman at a toy store. Always thought it would be cool to have the store to myself overnight.
Q: If you could beam yourself anywhere in the world for your lunch break, where would you go and what would you eat?
DiBella’s in Rochester, NY, for an Italian Assorted. Best subs in the world!
Q: Which Counter Culture Coffee customer is most likely to see you outside of work?
Cafe Helios is right down the street from my house. You’ll likely find me out on the patio when weather permits.
Q: You’re a football fan and a video game connoisseur. Do you play football games and, if so, which is the best?
I’ve dabbled over the years, but I have to go with the original Tecmo Bowl on the old-school Nintendo.
Q: As a Redskins fan, have you ever rooted for your team to lose the final home game of a season because of a Presidential Election?
I have. Luckily (or sadly), those games have never been important in terms of playoffs or anything.
