2002 – Montana Coffee purchased 10 bags of one of the winners of Guatemala COE coffee. We bought it from a dealer, who got it at the auction. The coffee was exceptionally good; better then most of the coffees we were buying at the time. 2004 – I was an International Jury member at El Salvador COE competition. 2006 – I was an International Jury member at Honduras COE competition. This year we are planning to get some of the winning coffee from Guatemala. I’ve been to many cupping sessions in many origin countries as well as in US, Germany etc. I was at most of SCAA and some of the SCAE conferences and shows. And I believe that COE program is not only the most comprehensive and most vigorous in selecting the best coffees grown in a country, but also very well managed and an excellent promoter of high quality coffee among growers.

I believe that with my experience in starting a whole Specialty Coffee Industry in Russia and developing a client base for a product previously unknown to the population, I will be able to contribute to COE program in the area of COE coffee promotion in consumer countries and assist in generating a fund drive to get resources necessary to start those promotion programs, should the CEO Board chose to focus on this issue. With my experience as a Board member of two organizations in Russia* and my negotiating experience, I could assist in making the Board’s work efficient and productive.

I envision COE to be one of main forces in increasing the high quality coffee market share for the benefit of both producers and consumers throughout the world and willing to dedicate my time and energy in helping the organization in this work.

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