Scott Baldwin

Director of National Sales

Scott is the perfect robot version of an indie coffee Director of Sales. It’s like two nerdy kids in 1980s suburban Seattle hacked their home computer, creating a guy who digs soccer (of course), who brews his own beer (duh), lives for camping (naturally), and loves a neat organic espresso (obviously).

Alicia Basinger

Director of Retail Operations

You can trust Alicia—we certainly do. She’s been here since starting as a barista in 2008. Over these dozen years, we’ve learned a lot about Alicia—and not just her taste in short iced americanos. She’s an incredible colleague who supports, listens to, and builds connections between Vita’s diverse crew of baristas and patrons.

tom buckley

Chief Operating Officer

Tom in the 1990’s worked for Mostly Muffins -- a bakery that sold pink cookies and blueberry cream cheese muffins to all the coffee shops around town. When Vita started up in 1995, blocks away from Mostly Muffins, it quickly became Tom’s favorite coffee. Fast forward to 2002, Tom started his journey with Vita as a minority partner and VP of Sales and Marketing. In 2012, Tom moved to a Sales Director role at La Marzocco. In 2020, Tom was recruited back to Vita by new owner Deming Maclise to help bring out the best Vita can offer.

Jasyn Byrum

Procurement Manager

Jasyn has been in the coffee industry for over 10 years. He started as a service technician for Visions Espresso and moved to La Marzocco where he spent many years in the parts department. Jasyn loves the coffee industry's tight-knit community of weirdos who are passionate about what they do. In his spare time, he enjoys being in nature and making electronic music. At home he sips espresso from his La Marzocco Linea Mini and when out in nature, the AeroPress is his preferred brew method.

brian edwards

Customer Experience Specialist

Before accepting his account manager position, Brian hustled his way into our hearts as a Vita delivery driver. Maybe it was his time navigating Seattle traffic all morning that turned him into the mocha monster he is today.

Eric Farrugia

Director of Operations

Erin Fitzpatrick

Director of Wholesale Grocery

Erin, Nor'Wester superfan, has always been deeply tied to the neighborhood - born on Capitol Hill while her family has been involved with St. Joseph's Church on 18th for over 50 years. She's also an identical twin, so if you say hi and she doesn't respond, you might have the wrong gal.

Shelley Griffin

Director of Ecommerce

deming maclise

CEO, Owner

Deming came to Seattle in the early 90s as a musician, working as a Barista by day while playing in bands at night. Eventually he opened his own coffee house, Caffe Fiore, then three more locations and 12 restaurants later he took over Caffe Vita in January 2020. He still plays music everyday, is an avid concert goer and loves coffee house culture. Favorite coffee drink: Cortado with oat milk. First concert ever: The Police

Michael Mendoza

Coffee Educator

It only took one cup of delicious coffee and a friendly barista to change Michael’s life. Now, as the Head Wholesale Trainer in Seattle, he helps baristas take Caffe Vita’s coffee and make people’s days, no matter who or where they are. It’s his passion to ensure that our Wholesale Partners have access to the training and education that will empower them to brew the best coffee they can, while creating a memorable experience for people on both sides of the coffee bar.

Gabrielle Moorhead

Vice President of Retail Operations

Sam Spillman

Director of Coffee

From her first coffee job to fast forward 10 years in the industry as barista, trainer, and now Director of Coffee for Caffe Vita, community has always been her focus. Coffee is a tool to bring people together from all over the world. That made Vita a natural home for Sam, who embodies the notion that-- as she herself would say-- "without people, coffee is just a plant".