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BARRIE HOUSE EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Kevin Lugo - Material Handler

Kevin is an essential part of the Barrie House team, performing a variety of tasks to help the warehouse run smoothly. From packing and shipping e-commerce orders, to restocking inventory, to fulfilling corporate customer shipments, and much more. 

Thank you Kevin for helping Barrie House continue to grow and provide the best service to our customers!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
1 year
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Fulfilling orders, keeping things organized
3. Favorite coffee?   
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
3
5. Where did you grow up?   
The Bronx
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Lugo
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
0, I’m an only child
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  Oceanfront beach house
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Find a concert to go to
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
Charlie Day
11. Favorite TV show?
Sopranos
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Peter Rosenberg or Joe Rogan
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
Cup Pepperoni
14. Favorite season?    
Fall
15. Dream vacation?     
Italy
16. First concert?   
Local show in a church basement
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
New car
18. What would be your superpower? 
Read people's minds
19. Dream car?    
70s Chevelle
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
Coffee

Joe Zaro - Account Receivable & Credit Manager

Joe is our Accounts Receivable and Credit Manager, responsible for maintaining our customer accounts and receiving payment for our great coffee! Without Joe, we wouldn’t be able to keep Barrie House growing, with our existing customers or creating new ones.

Thank you Joe for making sure Barrie House runs smoothly!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
6 years
2. Favorite part of your job?  
I find the coffee industry very interesting
3. Favorite coffee?   
100% Colombian
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
Usually 0
5. Where did you grow up?   
Rockland County, NY
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
No
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
I'm the oldest of four
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  Oceanfront beach house
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Play poker at the casino
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
 Ralph Macchio
11. Favorite TV show?
Right now, Sugar on Apple TV
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Matthew McConaughey
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
Pepperoni
14. Favorite season?    
Hockey
15. Dream vacation?     
Touring the castles of Europe
16. First concert?   
The Go-Go's
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
A 1950's Mercury
18. What would be your superpower? 
Read minds
19. Dream car?    
See above!!
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
My family

Telly Lau - Graphic Designer

Telly is our graphic designer and a major part of our Marketing team. She makes sure the Barrie House brand is always looking its best, creating all of our packaging, signage, images, website design and more. She also plays an integral role in servicing our private label customers and bringing their products to life.

Thank you Telly for all your hard work to make Barrie House shine!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
6 years
2. Favorite part of your job?  
I’m given fair creative liberty and sometimes there are treats in the kitchen.
3. Favorite coffee?   
Winter Wonderland & Jammin Jamaican
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
1-2, always iced
5. Where did you grow up?   
Queens, NY
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Aya Yai
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
I'm an only child, can't you tell?
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  Beach house, I have an irrational fear of Sasquatch
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Stay up late, then sleep in.
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
 A grown up Lilo from Lilo and Stitch... Or Stitch. 
11. Favorite TV show?
Bob’s Burgers
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Aubrey Plaza
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
Pepperoni & mushroom & raw garlic
14. Favorite season?    
Summer
15. Dream vacation?     
A boujee cruise to the Galapagos Islands to see ancient turtles and fat lizards
16. First concert?   
Toad the Wet Sprocket
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
Invest in building a skating rink
18. What would be your superpower? 
Teleportation
19. Dream car?    
Corvette Stingray from the 60’s
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
Water

Matt Miser - Warehouse Manager

Matt runs the entire warehouse, which includes managing inventories, overseeing inbound and outbound shipments, picking orders, and so much more. Without Matt, our customers wouldn’t get their orders and we wouldn’t be able to be the world class company we strive to be every day.

Thank you Matt for everything you do to keep Barrie House running smoothly!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
9 years
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Getting things done early
3. Favorite coffee?   
House Blend Extra Bold
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
4-6
5. Where did you grow up?   
Texas
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Mise
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
3, second oldest
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  Cabin, I hate the beach
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Drive my truck
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
Sean Penn
11. Favorite TV show?
American Horror Story
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Will Ferrell
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
Pepperoni, black olives, green peppers and onions
14. Favorite season?    
Fall
15. Dream vacation?     
Greenland
16. First concert?   
The Eagles
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
A lawyer
18. What would be your superpower? 
Fly
19. Dream car?    
I have it already, a 1957 Chevy 3100
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
My kids

Laurel Cudden - Food Safety & Compliance/Consultant

Laurel helps ensure the highest standards of food safety and quality across all our operations. She not only works with our quality and safety team, but also conducts training for new hires and current employees, works with the Safety Committee, and so much more.

Thank you Laurel for your essential contributions to the Barrie House team!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
8 months
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Watching the team operate roasting and production lines
3. Favorite coffee?   
Indonesian Sumatra
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
2-3
5. Where did you grow up?   
Garfield, NJ
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Lola, after the Barry Manilow song
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
Older brother
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  House in the woods with a view of the ocean
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Diner for breakfast, walk in the woods to take pictures of birds
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
Jennifer Garner
11. Favorite TV show?
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Schitt's Creek
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Dave Grohl
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
A good cheese pizza
14. Favorite season?    
Spring
15. Dream vacation?     
Continue visiting all the national parks
16. First concert?   
Bryan Adams
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
Remodel my house
18. What would be your superpower? 
Fly
19. Dream car?    
An RV
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
Water

Garrett Chu - Trade Marketing Manager

Garrett is an essential part of the Barrie House team, specifically our sales operation. He has brought our coffee to many restaurants and cafes in the area, and is also responsible for overseeing our trade show marketing. Garrett helps to ensure that Barrie House coffee is served all around the NY area, and that businesses all over the country learn about what we have to offer. 

Thanks for all your hard work, Garrett!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
Two
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Visiting and exploring cafes. Some cafes have really unique vibes.
3. Favorite coffee?   
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
1-2
5. Where did you grow up?   
Wellesley, Massachusetts
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
“Chewy” because my last name is “Chu”
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
I'm the middle child of three brothers
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  Ocean front beach house, no doubt!
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Sleep in, walk around the Kensico Reservoir, binge watch The Mandalorian and some baseball games, treat myself to some Pho.
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
Steven Yuen
11. Favorite TV show?
Cobra Kai
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Rob Gronkowski
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
Sausage, Pepperoni and Mushrooms
14. Favorite season?    
Spring
15. Dream vacation?     
I'd explore the historic cities of Rome, Athens, Paris, Amsterdam and London. Ideally, I’d be able to attend a Champions league fixture along the way.
16. First concert?   
Sebastian Ingrosso in 2012
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
I’m treating my family to a omkase at Sushi Ginza Onodera in the city.
18. What would be your superpower? 
Teleportation
19. Dream car?    
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
A good set of kitchen knives

Lillian Gatling - Production Coordinator

Lillian is an integral part of the Barrie House team! She has been promoted twice since starting at Barrie House in April 2021. She began as a Production Tech I, then was promoted to Production Tech Lead and in October, was promoted into her current role of Production Coordinator. Lillian provides strong support to the Operations manager and Prod A and B. She works with QA, engineering, and department leads to ensure everything is running smoothly and help resolve any quality issues that may arise in Prod A, B and C. She also works with other managers to address issues that may arise during the manufacturing process. 

Thank you Lillian for all that you do!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
Two in April
2. Favorite part of your job?  
All of it
3. Favorite coffee?   
Espresso Roast
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?    
Two
5. Where did you grow up?   
The Bronx
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Lilly
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?   
I'm the baby, I had one older sibling
7. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?  Cabin in the woods
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?    
Sleep
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?  
My oldest daughter
11. Favorite TV show?
Sistas
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?    
Mariska Hargitay
13. Go to pizza toppings?    
Extra cheese
14. Favorite season?    
Fall
15. Dream vacation?     
Egypt
16. First concert?   
Charlie Wilson
17. You win $1 million. What’s the first thing you buy?     
Barrie House (just kidding!)
18. What would be your superpower? 
Reading minds
19. Dream car?    
Lamborghini
20.  One thing you can’t live without?    
My children and husband

Iraida Luna – Customer Care Manager
Iraida is an essential part of the Barrie House team. She manages the customer care department to make sure our customers' expectations are exceeded, and always has what's best for the customer in mind. Whether it's a retail buyer or a private label partner, Iraida keeps our clients happy! She also ensures that the ordering process runs smoothly and that customers are getting the products they need.

Thank you for all that you do Iraida!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
Nine
2. Favorite part of your job? 
Making people happy
3. Favorite coffee?
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?
One
5. Where did you grow up?
The Bronx
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)? 
I do, but I cannot share
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?
Nine and I am the youngest
8. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?
Oceanfront beach house
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do? 
Brunch
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life? 
Rosario Dawson
11. Favorite TV show?
Anything on HGTV
12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?
Beyonce - No! change that to Oprah
13. Go to pizza toppings?
Ham
14. Favorite season?
Fall
15. Dream vacation?
Greece
16. First concert?
Beyonce
17. You win $1million. What’s the first thing you buy?
A home for each member of my family
18. What would be your superpower?
Healing
19. Dream car?
Mercedes Benz Truck
20. One thing you can’t live without?
Family
Michael Paperny – Purchasing/Inventory Manager
Mike basically purchases everything that comes into Barrie House - from half & half for everybody’s coffee, to raw material for us to produce a finished good, to machinery and parts so that product can be made.

His main responsibility is to analyze and maintain levels of all raw material (lids, labels, boxes, filter paper, etc.) making sure we do not have too much or too little and to make sure materials are delivered on time and in the most cost-effective manner. Mike continually communicates with departments inside of Barrie House, as well as with vendors outside the building and across the ocean.

Thanks Mike!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1. Years at Barrie House?
Five
2. Favorite part of your job?
Going home
3. Favorite coffee?
Clay avenue
4. Number of cups of coffee per day?
One
5. Where did you grow up?
Long Island
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Nappy
7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?
Two siblings and I'm the youngest
8. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house?
A remote cabin in the woods
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?Hanging out in the backyard,
drink some beers and play with my dogs
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?
Never even thought about it... ME!
11. Favorite TV show?
Law and Order

12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?
Jerry Garcia
13. Go to pizza toppings?
Cheese
14. Favorite season?
Summer
15. Dream vacation?
Hanging out in the backyard, drinking some beers, and playing with my dogs.
16. First concert?
Grateful Dead
17. You win $1million. What’s the first thing you buy?
A cabin in the woods so I can drink some beers and play with my dogs!
18. What would be your superpower?
Invisiblity
19. Dream car?
Mercedes sports convertible
20. One thing you can’t live without?
My Family

William (Billy) Fraioli – Inventory Control Specialist
As the Inventory Control Specialist, Billy oversees inventory control and keeping accurate counts. He is also in charge of giving all production rooms the raw material needed for that day’s production.

In addition to that, Billy is involved with shipping and receiving, making sure that all items coming in and out of Barrie House are in good shape and accounted for.

Thank you for all that you do Billy!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1.  Years at Barrie House?
5 1/2 years
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Shipping Death Wish... Haha
3. Favorite coffee?   
Death Wish
4.  Number of cups of coffee per day?  
Right now just two
5.  Where did you grow up?
White Plains, NY
6. Any nicknames (now or as a child)?
Friman because my last name is Fraioli
7.  7. How many siblings do you have & where do you fall?
3 siblings and I'm the oldest
8. Remote cabin in the woods or an oceanfront beach house? Ocean Front Beach House, not even a question!
9. You got the day off tomorrow. What are you going to do?Run and paint. I am a painter
10. Who should play you in a movie about your life?
Willem Dafoe
11. Favorite TV show?
I don't watch TV but my favorite movie is Alien

12. Celebrity BFF. Who would be yours?
Kurt Russell
13. Go to pizza toppings?
Plain... Plain Jane!
14. Favorite season?
Summer
15. Dream vacation?
Hawaii, I've never been
16. First concert?
They're going to judge me with this one... Grateful Dead
17. You win $1million. What’s the first thing you buy?
Help my mom buy a house
18. What would be your superpower?
Go back in time
19. Dream car?
A 1950's Chevy Pickup
20. One thing you can’t live without?
My kids... and my wife, stick her in there too!

Indra (Gangadai) Persaud  - Machine Operator in Production A

Indra is a key part of bagged coffee production as a machine operator in production A. As a machine operator, Indra’s daily responsibilities include checking the work orders and making sure all items and products match, such as outer box labels, film, bag labels, flavors and more. She oversees getting the machines up and running each day and doing sample runs to ensure there is proper oxygen levels, bag weigh and no bag leaks. Indra ensures that all product coming off the machine meet the necessary quality specification.

Thanks for all that you do Indra!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1.  Years at Barrie House?
29
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Seeing new products and coffee being produced
3. Favorite coffee?   
Breakfast Blend
4.  Mug, tumbler, or paper cup?    
Tumbler (Travel mug)
5.  Number of cups of coffee per day?  
I stick to only 1 cup per day
6. When do you have your first cup?  
5:30 AM
7.  Where did you grow up?    
Guyana, South America
8.  Any nicknames (now or as a child)?   
Indra, my first name is actually Gangadai
9.  What do you like to do in your spare time?  
Cook! I love to cook
10.  Who should play you in a movie about your life? 
My daughter
11. Favorite musical artist/band?    
I like to listen to cultural and traditional music
12. Favorite TV show?    
I like to watch Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy but I love anything on the Lifetime Network!
13. Favorite sports team?    
Not really
14. Favorite meal?    
RICE! We grew up on rice!
15. Favorite season?    
Spring
16. Dream vacation?    
Hawaii, maybe one day!
17. First concert? 
If I were to see anyone at a concert, I would like to see my traditional or cultural music  
18. Saturday or Sunday?  
Saturday 
19. What would be your superpower?    
The ability to help people in need. That would be my superpower
20.  One item you can’t live without?    
My grandchildren!

Tony Davenport - Roasting Plant Porter
Tony Davenport works at the Mount Vernon Roasting Plant and is an important part of the roasting team. He has been with Barrie House for 37 years and is one of our longest employed team member.

Tony works as a porter where duties include loading, unloading, and moving materials within the plant. He safely transports products and materials from receiving areas to storage areas and maintains safe working practices to ensure compliance with manufacturing standards.

Tony is a key part of keeping the roasting plant clean and safe for all.
Thanks Tony!
20 Questions in Two Minutes
1.  Years at Barrie House?
37 years. I started here in July 1983
2. Favorite part of your job?  
Cleaning
3. Favorite coffee?   
Swiss Mocha Almond
4.  Mug, tumbler, or paper cup?    
Tumbler
5.  Number of cups of coffee per day?  
3 on the weekdays and 2 on the weekends
Another four during the day. So 5-6 a day
6. When do you have your first cup?  
When I arrive at work at 6am
7.  Where did you grow up?    
North Carolina
8.  Any nicknames (now or as a child)?   
Tony Lee
9.  What do you like to do in your spare time?  
Go out
10.  Who should play you in a movie about your life? 
Tyler Perry
11. Favorite musical artist/band?    
I like the old-time music like R&B, Marvin Gay and Prince
12. Favorite TV show?    
Favorite movie, Rocky
13. Favorite sports team?    
NY Giants. But I have a cousin who played on the NY Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Diego Clippers. His name is Lowes Moore.
14. Favorite meal?    
Salmon and seafood 
15. Favorite season?    
Summertime
16. Dream vacation?    
My dream vacation would be out of this country…Israel
17. First concert? 
I saw Temptation play during the summer at Central Park  
18. Saturday or Sunday?  
Saturday 
19. What would be your superpower?    
I would like to be like Superman. Flying, super strength, invincible.
20.  One item you can’t live without?    
One thing I could not live without would be my family.