About Us

Unparalleled quality, a human story, and sustainability – that’s our coffee philosophy.

Unparalleled quality. We won’t buy a coffee unless we know that it will inspire you.
A human story. Often times a producer’s story gets lost in the coffee supply chain. It’s our focus to provide a seed to cup experience, honoring everyone involved.
Sustainability. We purchase sustainable coffees directly from producers and through brokers who share our goal of making coffee a sustainable commodity. Financially and environmentally, the coffees we purchase seek balance.

Combine our coffee philosophy and passion for exceptional coffees with our down-home Midwest hospitality and that, in a nutshell, is JBC Coffee Roasters. We are 50% women-owned and dedicated to an amazing cup. We can’t wait to share our coffee passion with you.

One of 28 Best Coffee Roasters in America 2022 ~Gear Patrol, September 2022

Five Time Good Food Award Winners (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)

One of the 12 best coffee roasters in the U.S.~Forbes, Dec 2018

Over 340 90 plus rated coffees ~Coffee Review

5th place Roaster's Choice Championship, 3^rd and 7^th place U.S. Cup Tasters, 10^th place U.S. Brewer’s Cup ~SCA

Laura Salinger Johnson (she/her): C0-Owner

What do you enjoy most about working in the specialty coffee industry? The people (farmer/producers, fellow coffee industry folks, and our customers), the places (traveling to coffee growing regions is a life-changing experience), and tasting (who doesn’t love to drink special and unique coffees each day?)

What is your background? Born and raised in the Minneapolis suburbs, I moved to Madison in the 90s to attend UW-Madison and never left. A writer and editor by trade, I eventually fell in love with the coffee industry and came to work full time at JBC. We have two girls and love our community.

Favorite Quote: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."-Robert Frost

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? Reading, exploring, traveling, hanging with family and friends.

Adam Walsh (he/him): Director of Coffee / Q-Grader

What do you enjoy most about working in the specialty coffee industry? The ability to affect positive change in the lives of people around the world.

What is your background? Woodworking and ceramics originally. For the last 11 years I've been committed to the continual pursuit of coffee excellence.

Favorite Quote: "Humility is the voice in your head that encourages you to listen instead of talk, to test instead of assume, and to be open instead of closed."

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working? Striving to be the best possible dog-dad to my beautiful corgi daughter.

Alison Schommer (she/they): Production Manager / Q-Grader

What do you enjoy most about working in the specialty coffee industry? The creativity, passion, and joy a quality cup of coffee brings will never cease to inspire me.

What is your background? My love for coffee blossomed while I was working as a barista in college. Before joining the JBC team, I managed a busy café for five years.

Favorite Quote: “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” -Rumi

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? When not at the roastery, I can often be found at one of our local skateparks or roller skating on trails with my crew! My world revolves around my corgi, Zocco, who is named after the espresso machine brand, La Marzocco.

Gressa Olson (she/her): Brand Ambassador/Graphic Designer

What do you enjoy most about working in the specialty coffee industry? The amazing coffee, as well as the inspiring people I have already met. I think coffee is a beautiful way to unify family, friends, and even complete strangers! To experience that in my everyday life and work is very special.

What is your background? I am a recent Fine Arts graduate who survived a busy student-athlete schedule with the help of lots of coffee. With my love for the good stuff and my passion for art, I am looking forward to learning all I can about the specialty coffee industry and adding my creativity and enthusiasm to the community!

Favorite Quote: “Well, there is magic all around you…” – Stevie Nicks, Rooms on Fire

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working? I love to spend time with my twin sister drinking coffee, I am always crafting or crocheting (currently working on a big sweater but it looks like I might miss my winter deadline, oops!), and you can usually catch me watching Dr. Phil as I’m creating. I love to play soccer still and keep up with all kinds of sports and teams.

Michael Street (he/him): Production Team Member and Coffee Educator

What do you enjoy most about working in the specialty coffee industry? Being able to share a delicious cup of coffee with others.

What is your background? After going to school for film production, I decided to switch it up and hopped into the coffee world. I worked at a coffee shop for 5 years, where I fell in love with the industry and the amazing, passionate people in it.

Favorite Quote: “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart." - Maya Angelou

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? Cooking, finding new music, writing, watching movies, sunsets by the lake, petting dogs and cats.

Matthew Land (he/him): Production Team Member

What do you enjoy most about working in the specialty coffee industry? Aside from drinking all the amazing coffee, I love being one small part of the long and talented chain of people working to produce a delicious cup of coffee.

What is your background? After graduating from UW-Madison and working in government for two years, I decided to switch it up and combine my personal passion for coffee with my work and join the great team at JBC.

Favorite Quote: "The wonderful things in life are the things you do, not the things you have." - Reinhold Messner

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working? Running, Nordic skiing, climbing, hiking, reading, re-learning the piano.