The Team at the Buena Vista Roastery and Bongo Billy’s Coffees
| Laurie Benson Laurie has focused primarily on marketing over the past fifteen years. In addition to marketing for New Earth Records and Body, Mind, Spirit, she has worked extensively with different guest ranch/resorts throughout Colorado to help them realize their unique attributes, and how to market themselves appropriately. Three things that are of great value to Laurie are hiking, backpacking and introducing her daughter to the wonders of the great outdoors. Laurie recently worked with the Savory Institute, now with Holistic Effect, and started the annual Collegiate Peaks Music Festival. |
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| Joel Benson Over the years, Joel has worked as an educator, facilitator and consultant. He co-founded a company in Kentucky, helping former tobacco farmers diversify. Previously, he consulted with several non-profits and taught at St. Mary’s School and the Rogue Community College in Medford, Oregon. He is a Certified Educator in Holistic Management and has consulted with Horizon Organic Dairy, Holistic Management International, and with the Savory Institute. He has spent several years in and out of heavy coffee-growing regions of Latin America, traveling and serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica. He serves as Mayor for the Town of Buena Vista and periodically teaches a course in policy and agriculture at the Link School. He also kayaks and does some artwork with wood and stone as the primary mediums. |
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| Shelby Goehl Shelby is an Ark Valley transplant, living here since late ’09 with her best friend and husband Casey. The two are enjoying living in town, and are expecting their first child in June. When not frantically fixing drinks behind the counter, Shelby enjoys thrifting, knitting, and lounging around. |
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| Katelyn Strickland Katelyn recently moved to Buena Vista after spending years in soybean country. She is an enthusiastic rock climber and long distance runner. At times she is known to speed knit scarves and can knit head gear at a slower pace. She is a native Californian, but has still managed to find her footing in this old mining town. |
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| Ruth Cortese |  |
| Kyle Green Kyle is the head axeman of a local scream rock band. Oscillating between the soul patch and the goatee, he is a master of disguise and intrigue. His palette is on par with that of a veteran French sommelier, and he’s been know to detect the faintest hints of coriander and Saratoga melon while violently inhaling coffee mist onto his tongue. For these reasons he’s become know, simply, as The Supertaster. |
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| Clayton De Laney Clayton migrated to the Arkansas valley after graduating from Principia. Conveniently, the town of Buena Vista’s population is infused with a striking number of Principia graduates, so Clayton feels right at home. His weekends are spent skinny skiing and shadow boxing in the park. |
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| Libby Nye Libby is Arkansas native who talks about Arkansas constantly. She loves Colorado and all of its splendor, but is also raising awareness on the quaint beauty of Arkansas- “The Natural State.” She enjoys rock climbing, running, and corgis. |
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| Katelyn Daugherty Kate moved across the country to BV from Virginia after graduating from Washington and Lee University in historical Lexington, VA. She spent her time in college studying Neuroscience and competing on the field hockey team. Now, she is enjoying the change of pace and surrounding beauty of the Colorado mountains. You’ll likely find her hiking or skiing (or at Target) on days away from the cafe! |
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| Bonnie Treworgy Bonnie moved to Buena Vista from Boston two years ago. She loves Chopin and swimming in cold water, and these words: “I walk along these hillsides in the summer ‘neath the sunshine. I am feathered by the moonlight falling down on me.” -Counting Crows |
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