See this article published in FireRescue1 and News Break
Proceeds will support and expand a signature comprehensive program that is devoted to mitigating the rising crisis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in first responders
SONOMA, CA (August 5, 2020): Leatherhead Coffee, today officially launches its new line of specialty coffee in partnership with First Responders Resiliency, Inc. (FRRI). Founded by Petaluma Fire Battalion Chief Mike Medeiros and globally recognized coffee authority Willard “Dub” Hay, Leatherhead Coffee is the blend of a love for good coffee, and a passion for giving back to firefighters and first responders struggling with PTSD.
A portion of the profits from the sale of coffee and related merchandise will go directly toward FRRI’s successful programming designed to address the rising crisis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in first responders nationwide.
“My grandfather, a local dairy farmer, started a volunteer fire department in 1942, in a district where I later became a volunteer firefighter,” said Mike Medeiros. “At the age of 10, I was chasing spot fires during the hay stubble burning season on my family farm; firefighting is in my blood. For several years I had been thinking about creating good coffee at the firehouse level that would include a give-back component, and now it has come to fruition.”
“Throughout my career in the global coffee industry, the most rewarding part has been contributing to farming communities and others in the ecosystem, in a sustainable and responsible way,” said Dub Hay. “When I met Mike in 2016, we immediately recognized our shared values of service and giving back. It didn’t take long for us to decide to combine our shared values with great coffee – and Leatherhead Coffee was born.”
Through the firefighter community, Mike met Susan Farren, the founder of FRRI. The synergy between Leatherhead Coffee and FRRI was immediately obvious. Farren hopes to build a training center where firefighters and first responders can come to learn different modalities to deal with careers laden with witnessing events people are not designed to see and manage.
“I feel extremely fortunate to partner with Mike, Dub, and Leatherhead Coffee as a way to continue First Responders Resiliency’s goal of Putting PTSD out of business™,” said Susan Farren, Founder and Executive Director of First Responders Resiliency, Inc. “The support of this venture from the first responder community locally and nationally has been overwhelmingly positive; everyone is really enthusiastic about serving Leatherhead coffee in their installations.”
About Leatherhead Coffee
Founded by Fire Battalion Chief Mike Medeiros and celebrated international coffee authority Dub Hay, Leatherhead Coffee is the combination of a love for good coffee and a passion for giving back to first responders struggling with PTSD. A portion of the profits support First Responders Resiliency, Inc, a non-profit devoted to improving first responders’ mental, physical and emotional health. Through our donations, we strive to make this resource accessible to those who need it most. Although Leatherhead was created with first responders in mind, our coffee is for everyone. Whether you are enjoying a cup at your desk or in a busy firehouse, we guarantee it will hit the spot every time. To learn more or purchase our coffee, please visit us at https://leatherheadcoffee.com/.
About Mike Medeiros
Mike Medeiros is a current Fire Battalion Chief for the City of Petaluma located in the California North Bay Area and is still active with the same Volunteer Fire Department where the current Fire Chief and Assistant Chief are his uncles. Prior to becoming a Battalion Chief in Petaluma, Chief Medeiros became a full-time Fire Apparatus Engineer with CALFIRE in 2001. In 2004 he lateraled to the Petaluma Fire Department where he quickly progressed based on his leadership skills and operational knowledge.
Mike received his bachelor’s degree from CSU, Chico in Agricultural Science and Business. Additionally, he is an accredited California State Fire Marshal, Executive Chief Fire Officer.
About Dub Hay
Dub is the Chairman of the Board of Kona Hills, LLC. Kona Hills is a private equity-owned coffee estate development project that started in 2016. Dub is the former senior vice president, Global Coffee Authority for Starbucks. As the company’s chief coffee advocate, Dub oversaw all external and internal programs to further demonstrate Starbuck’s passion, quality, and leadership in all things coffee.
Prior to joining Starbucks, Dub’s career in coffee included executive roles at Proctor & Gamble Co. (Folgers) and Nestlé USA. Additionally, he held various leadership roles with the National Coffee Association (NCA). Dub currently serves on many local and national non-profit Boards of Directors.
Dub received his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business from Xavier University.
About First Responders Resiliency, Inc.
First Responders Resiliency, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization designed to decrease stress and enhance resiliency in first responders. Created For First Responders, by First Responders, we are dedicated to the psychological and physical well-being of those who are serving or have served in the industry. To learn more about the organization and Susan Farren, Founder and Executive Director, please visit us at http://www.it-ws.com/resiliency1st/.