President & CEO
President & CEO
Andrew learned the coffee trade from the ground up, beginning at age 19. Back then he worked in the warehouse unloading containers and delivering coffee. It was when he did his first sample roast and cupping that he knew he was hooked and fell in love with coffee. He went on to implement cupping room quality controls and eventually sourcing, buying and selling coffees.
In 2002 Andrew founded Vournas Coffee Trading and his quest to source the world’s best coffee has taken him to 38 countries and counting. He takes pride in the success of his retail and wholesale roasters by helping to establish their businesses, providing market insight, sourcing origins, and developing custom blends.
Andrew also enjoys working with our producing partners, collaborates with growers and mill operators to improve the quality of their coffee, and supports non-profit organizations that focus on providing supplies, training, and assistance programs to farmers and their families.
For the last four years he has served on Board of Directors for the Pacific Coast Coffee Association and is currently serving 2 years as President. He has spoken on numerous panels, also performed as an international juror and cupping judge for Cup of Excellence competitions in Bolivia and Colombia.
Fun Fact
USC Football Fan
Favorite Quote
The only easy day was yesterday.
Navy Seal Philosophy
Favorite coffee
Fair Trade Organic Papua New Guinea AX
What he loves to do for fun
Travel off the grid, skiing, BBQ Master Chef, avid runner, and spends time with family & friends.
Coffee Trader
Coffee Trader
Joe grew up in Denver and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder. He began his career in San Diego, where he co-founded a capital sourcing company, followed by launching a mortgage bank—an experience that led him into real estate development. Over the years, he helped develop properties across the U.S., gaining a broad perspective on business and investment.
After working with a few tech startups, Joe eventually found his way into the world of coffee importing, where he discovered a true passion. He has been selling green coffee for nearly a decade. After his first trip to origin, Guatemala and Nicaragua, he knew he had found his calling—working to drive positive change in the supply chain and support sustainability in coffee production.
Now based in Milwaukee—“The Good Land”—after 25 years in San Diego, Joe is embracing Midwest life.
Favorite Quote
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Wayne Gretzky
Fun Fact
CU Buffs Fan
Favorite coffee
Costa Rica Sonora Natural
What he likes to do for fun
Fishing, Surfing, Golf, Travel, Live Music & Vinyl, BBQ & Cooking, Gardening, and spending time with family & friends.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Kat Vournas is a Southern California native and a self-proclaimed coffee junky. She developed her love of coffee during her early days of college while pulling all night study sessions. After completing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration, she worked for Harman Consumer Group, where she managed marketing and brand management for Harman Kardon, JBL and Infinity.
In 2009 she followed her passion and joined the VCT team where she is Co-Owner and has worked in almost every part of the company since. Today she can be found overseeing VCT’s financial operations and company marketing and communications. She is fanatical about sourcing high quality coffees and sustainability of coffee from farm to cup.
Favorite Quote
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. Oscar Wilde
World Series info
I attended the longest game in World Series history. 7 hours, 18-innings later my beloved Dodgers won the game!
Favorite coffee
Mexico Rancho San Francisco
What she likes to do for fun
Hike, cycle, dream up delicious new dishes, listen to music & podcasts and spend time with family/friends.
Design & Marketing Consultant
Design & Marketing Consultant
Michael Riendeau is our long-time creative and design consultant behind Vournas Coffee’s social media platforms, our print and digital ad campaigns, and the Vournas Voice Newsletter. A passionate coffee enthusiast, Michael has contracted with specialty coffee since 2009 when he began as art director for a successful startup roastery based in New Mexico.
Michael provides oversight and direction for the Vournas brand, and its marketing strategy both as copy editor and newsletter publisher. Having worked in major media markets on the East and West coasts, Michael’s artistic ability and skill draw from decades in multimedia design and visual effects.
Michael is an MFA graduate of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, and a proud alumni of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Favorite Quote
Even abstract shapes must have a likeness.
Willem de Kooning
Fun Fact
My favorite place to be is underwater. I've been a scuba diver most of my life, and strongly believe everyone needs to do it at least once.
Favorite coffee
Mexico Rancho San Francisco
What he likes to do for fun
Everything outdoors that’s faster than walking.
Michael and his design firm, REDG Media can be contacted at: mike@redg.media
Logistics Coordinator
Logistics Coordinator
Samantha was born and raised in Southern California and can’t envision living anywhere else. She has enjoyed coffee from a young age, where a pot was said to be brewing at home all day long, you know back in the day when everyone still did that! Since that time she is now thankful for the invention of air pots! 😊 Twenty plus years later Samantha has found a deep love and passion for coffee and on the weekends is frequently found at her local coffee house.
Before coming to Vournas Coffee Trading she worked for Trader Joe’s, supervising various facets of branding and product merchandising, as well as managing wholesale vendor orders. The experience was a great segue to her home at Vournas Coffee, processing customer orders and making sure they get out on time.
Additionally, Samantha coordinates many, many other moving parts critical to our operations and getting our specialty green coffees to where they need to be. Samantha is currently working towards a degree in cultural anthropology.
Fun Fact
I love telling jokes!
Favorite Quote
Don’t let the concept of change scare you as much as the prospect of remaining unhappy.
Favorite coffee
FTO Mexico Oaxaca Zapoteca
What she likes to do for fun
Hiking, camping, mountain biking, crochet, spending time with my family, friends and dog.
Co-Founder (8/28/62 – 9/12/09)
Co-Founder (8/28/62 – 9/12/09)
Michael Vournas passed away September 12, 2009 after a two year battle with cancer. He was a founding partner in Vournas Coffee Trading, brother and friend and his contribution and presence at Vournas Coffee Trading is irreplaceable. His love and passion for life lives on through his wife Cindy and daughters Jessica, Chris and Mikaela. During his life Michael was blessed with extensive travels that enabled him to hunt down great coffees in source countries.
The knowledge he obtained was rare and extremely valuable to Vournas Coffee Trading in its ability in assisting roasters. Michael had true natural ability for cupping coffees and was honored by the Pacific Coast Coffee Association (PCCA) as the 2006 Cupper of the Year, through the annual Pete McLaughlin Memorial Cupping Competition.
Michael Vournas was dedicated, hard working and a really great guy. Not only will his knowledge and skills in the coffee world be sorely missed, but also his ability to make every one feel valued and loved. Mike’s favorite saying was “Hope Springs Eternal”.
He was an integral part of Vournas Coffee Trading, and he will always have a place in our hearts, on our website, and with our company forever.
Customer Service Coordinator
Customer Service Coordinator
Stephany, a Southern California native, was born and raised in Ventura County where coffee was the morning staple and the perfect way to end Sunday family dinners. At a young age it wasn’t long before she took after her mother’s avid coffee drinking habit; and started begging for sips and her own cup of coffee.
Stephany’s experience in exceptional customer service and multi-tasking project management is a great fit for our team. She coordinates logistics and assures that the coffee gets shipped as ordered and on time. She also assists in the cupping room to help ensure the coffees that arrive are the quality and consistency we expect them to be.
Favorite Quote
You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.
Harvey Firestone
Fun Fact
I am a Lakers Fan. I am bi-lingual and can speak Pig Latin.
Favorite coffee
Mexico Rancho San Francisco
What she likes to do for fun
She loves going for walks with her son, trying new foods, traveling, being outdoors and listening to music throughout the day.