-01-01.png)
ANGELO ORICCHIO
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brazilian born Angelo Oricchio grew up surrounded by coffee trees. In 1990, he was recruited by, and joined, Paramount Coffee Company, and moved his family to Lansing, Michigan. Since then, Oricchio has become a leading expert in sourcing and evaluating green coffee beans and the coffee roasting and blending process. He places high value on social responsibility, and through the years has developed strong relationships with people in coffee-growing regions throughout the world. Particularly special to Oricchio are the people of the coffee cooperative of Gashonga, located in Rwanda. Proceeds from the company’s Fair Trade coffees once helped to purchase 400 goats for the people in the village there, and today Paramount Coffee Company continues its support of the people in this coffee cooperative.
Richard Schaafsma
Chief Sales Officer
Over 28 years ago, I started working for Paramount as a route delivery salesperson. Nearly three decades later, I now lead the Paramount sales division.
I have been integrally involved with ethical and environmental sound business practices concerning coffee and have been privileged to visit coffee farms around the globe: Mexico, Honduras, Zambia (to name a few).
I am a key driver in Paramount’s farm direct and organic coffee movements and have fostered deep relationships along all facets of the industry—literally from bean to cup! These relationships are the most important facet of my work, as they allow connection to all those involved in the production of coffee. I feel it is critically important to gain understanding what goes into the coffee that we all love to drink. Hundreds of people are involved in the production of this commodity, and we must be mindful of the economic and environmental impacts of coffee.
When I am not working, I enjoy being outdoors; hiking, kayaking and camping with my wife and 5 children. I also love traveling the world!
