Our Team

Committed to serving you.

Pete Miller

Owner & Founder

Pete enjoys being a “flame keeper,” coaching the best flavors and aromas from these organic and mystical seeds from faraway places.

Tiffany Middleton

General Manager & Green Coffee Buyer

My coffee journey began while working as a barista in the mid 1990’s when specialty coffee was really still finding its way into the mainstream. I had the opportunity to learn the intricacies of the retail side of coffee while working in a busy drive-thru and managing the adjoining sit-down café. My passion for the magical elixir never waned and I was eventually drawn to the wholesale roasting world by way of Caravan Coffee. Essentially, my job is to keep Caravan running like a well-oiled machine and I pour my heart and soul into doing just that. I have a shirt that says “Keep Calm and let Tiffany Handle It.” At Caravan, those are words to live by!

Javier Santos

Director of Experience & Relationships

I’ve been around coffee my whole life. Growing up on my family’s coffee farms in Guatemala taught me that coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s about honoring the people, the connections, and creating spaces where others feel at home. That belief has shaped my 20+ year journey in food, beverage, and hospitality. From working in the specialty coffee industry, to starting a coffee importing project to stay connected to origin, to developing a restaurant concept built around those same values. At Caravan, my focus is around building systems, experiences, and relationships that bring people together over coffee.

Julia Carmona

Administration / Operations

Coffee has always found a way to be a constant in my life. Whether it be from my childhood when my mom let me have the occasional cup, that first warm sip after a chilly night camping, to the smell of my favorite roast in the morning after my partner brews a fresh pot. I’ve held many barista positions but Caravan has really let my passion for coffee flourish, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!

Bryan Selby

Lead Roaster / Operations Lead

Roasting is an alchemical dance of time, temperature, and intuition; blending tradition and innovation to bring out the unique and exceptional flavor of each coffee. My continual journey to unlock the mysteries of this magical bean brought me to Caravan Coffee. Here I get the privilege of playing my part in the beans' journey from crop to cup. Whether I am having a pour over by the fireplace, a French press while camping, or a latte with friends; good times happen over coffee.

Andrew Kaye

Assistant Roaster

A good ol’ cup of coffee gives me energy, inspiration, distinction, warmth, joy, excitement among many emotions I taste first thing in the morning. I am blessed to be working with coffee as it’s such an impactful and meaningful part of many people's lives around the world. A harmonious connection of flavors we can share in our daily cup!

Nalah Bridges

Administration / Social Media

Serving the community and making new connections is what I’m all about, and I’m grateful for the chance to be part of something special here at Caravan Coffee. I find so much joy in learning new things and gaining new experiences, which is what led me to Caravan Coffee initially. I have long been a fan of all things coffee - it is exciting to come in everyday to work alongside people who take the craft of artisanal coffee so seriously while still managing to have a good time. The attention to detail, the care, and the dedication of the Caravan team inspires me to work just as hard to ensure that I am contributing my all each day that I come to work. I’m eager to see where my journey here takes me.

Zachary Maurer

Packaging Lead

Coffee goes hand in hand with community. I can remember attending early morning meetings with everyone having a mug of brew, holding discussions while the coffee brought life back into their sleepy eyes. While serving coffee is not a new experience, being able to see and work in all the facets that bring coffee from plant to cup has opened my eyes to the complexities of this industry. It is truly a world wide communal effort and I am honored to count myself as part of it. Come say "Hi" and create community with us.

Matt Mlinarcik

Tasting Room Manager

Originally from the East Coast, I lived in five different states before settling in Oregon. I have over six years of experience in specialty coffee, with hands-on roles in various operations such as management, brew master, and trainer. I strongly believe that the attention to detail we use in brewing coffee at Caravan is the same care we give to each customer. When I'm not "slinging beans" at Caravan, you can find me spinning a record, hiking with my family, or spending time with friends over a tabletop game.

Nova Ratkey

Tasting Room Host

In March 2025, I moved across the country from Houston, Texas to Newberg, Oregon. Caravan gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in this beautiful community as a tasting room host. I have worked as a teacher in Houston, but pursued the passion to show love and hospitality through work as a barista. I love people, I love coffee, and I love passing on the knowledge I have learned at Caravan to help others make their best cup of coffee.

Nickalina Bertram

Tasting Room Host

Although I am originally from Bulgaria, I have spent most of my life in the surrounding Portland area. My years-long career in coffee had an unlikely start, when I was first professionally trained as a barista back at the former World of Speed Motorsports Museum. I have worked within a combination of cars and coffee ever since. On my off-time, I work as an artist and photographer, and am currently in pre-production of my very first feature film!

Tyler Rapke

Tasting Room Host

Coffee has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—from childhood memories to daily rituals in adulthood. I love the intentionality of measuring, weighing, and pulling the perfect shot into my favorite mug each morning. In 2021, I saved up for my own home machine and quickly realized I had a lot to learn about making truly great coffee. My first barista job at a specialty coffee shop in Montana gave me a solid foundation in both skills and knowledge—and deepened my love for the craft. After moving to Newberg for grad school, I discovered Caravan and was immediately drawn to their perfectly roasted beans. I knew right away I wanted to be part of the team. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve this community through thoughtfully crafted coffee, alongside an amazing group of people here at Caravan.

In memory of Paul Allen, Roastmaster

April 20, 1961 – February 14, 2024

Known to many as THE Paul Allen. For over 24 years, you connected people throughout our community to the world of coffee. The joy you shared through roasting, brewing and educating will forever be felt within our hearts and across the globe. We will miss your whistles echoing in the warehouse, your moments of glee when a shot is pulled just right, your engaging teaching and educational tactics, but above all, we will miss your daily smile and individual friendship. You’ve marked us with memories of joy and we are forever grateful.

With honor and gratitude, we raise our flat white cups in memory of you. Cheers, Mate!

Positions held at Caravan Coffee (1999-2024):
  • Production Coffee Roaster
  • Quality Control of Coffee
  • Director of Education
  • Green Coffee Grader and Buyer
  • Lead for Caravan Public Roastery Tours and Tasting
Known at Caravan by his peers:
  • Great Sense of Humor
  • Charming Kiwi accent
  • Excellence in Coffee
  • Passionate Educator
Certifications:
  • Organic Handling Certificate (USDA): 2002
  • Green Coffee Grading Certified Roaster’s Guild Member: 2005
  • Certified World Coffee Judge (SCA): 2008
  • Quality Grader (Quality Institute/SCA): 2008
  • Art of Creating Blends (Boot Coffee):2010
  • Level 1 Roasters Guild (SCA): 2012
  • Level 2 Roasters Guild (SCA): 2012
  • Certified Lead Instructor (SCA): 2012
  • Heat Transfer Class Certificate(SCA): 2012
  • Roaster Plant Class Certificate (SCA): 2012
  • Coffee Science Certificate Level 1: 2014
  • Sensory Summit: 2018, 2020
  • Coffee Sensorium Certificate: 2022
Awards/Published work:
  • “Day of a Roaster” published interview by Specialty Coffee Review: 2005
  • “Peaberry” published by Roast Magazine: 2006
  • “Q Graders” article in LA Times: 2008
  • Gold Award for Technical Article, “Crema”, Roast Magazine: 2009
  • “Unbottling the Aromas of Coffee”, published by Roast Magazine, 2011
  • Top Farming Photo: Roast Magazine: 2015
  • Silver Award for Caravan Coffee, Golden Bean: 2016
Judge:
  • International Cupping Team Judge (1 of 9) in Brazil: 2004
  • Dancing Flames (home coffee roasters) Cupping Team Judge: 2009
  • Caravan Barista Showdown: 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Golden Bean Official Judge: 2017, 2019

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