Service, Travel, and the Perfect Cup: My Journey to Western Reserve Coffee

 

When you spend a lifetime in service, you learn to appreciate the small moments of peace. For me, those moments were often found at the bottom of a cup of coffee, thousands of miles from home.

Western Reserve Coffee isn't just a business I started; it’s the result of decades of discipline, global travel, and a relentless pursuit of quality that began long before I roasted my first bean.

A Life of Service

Before coffee became my daily mission, my life was defined by the uniform. My journey in service spans over 33 continuous combined years as a Soldier. From 1976 to 2010, I served in the Active Army, the National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve.

But that is only half the story.

Thanks to the nature of Guard and Reserve duty, I was able to build a parallel career that demanded just as much dedication. I began my career in Law Enforcement in 1989, serving my community for 33 years until my retirement in 2022.

The only time I stepped away from the badge was to serve a different kind of mission: for five years, I left law enforcement to deploy as a civilian advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan. Between the military, the police force, and overseas advisory roles, my entire adult life has been about service, discipline, and attention to detail.

That kind of background teaches you that cutting corners is never an option. And surprisingly, it teaches you a lot about coffee.

The Global Classroom

Most people experience coffee through their local drive-thru. I experienced it through the world. My deployments and assignments took me to corners of the globe that most people only see on the news.

I didn't just pass through these places; I lived in them. My service took me through Central and South America, Turkey, and Germany. I spent time in the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Georgia, and Poland. I experienced the cultures of the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Egypt. And, of course, I spent significant time in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.

In every single one of these regions, coffee and tea were more than caffeine. They were a ritual. A handshake. A moment of connection.

Redefining the "Perfect Cup"

What I learned during those travels completely changed my palate. In the States, we often mistake "strong" coffee for burnt, bitter, high-acidity sludge that needs cream and sugar to be palatable.

Overseas, I discovered something different. I found that the best coffees were often less acidic. They were smooth. They didn't assault your taste buds; they welcomed them.

I learned to appreciate subtle flavors—notes of chocolate, fruit, or earth—without that harsh, burnt aftertaste that plagues so many mass-produced American brands. I saw the care and tradition that went into preparation in places like Turkey or Central and South America. It wasn't about rushing; it was about the experience.

Bringing the Experience Home

When I finally retired from government service, I realized I couldn't find that "sipping experience" I had grown to love. I wanted a cup that I could sit with, savor, and enjoy pure—just like I did in a café in Germany, or sharing tea at a meeting in Japan.

That is the mission of Western Reserve Coffee.

I built this company to bring that global appreciation of quality to your kitchen table. We don't do burnt. We don't do bitter. We roast to order because, after a lifetime of service, I know that doing things the right way is the only way that matters.

Welcome to Western Reserve Coffee. This is the cup you've been waiting for.