The year is 2003 and the place is the Houston Heights. A white Ford F150 cruises effortlessly down 20th Street. The driver is clearly enjoying some intricate and intense techno music as he pulls into the Katz Coffee parking lot. This man is Avi Katz, otherwise known as Big Kitty. He is daily working toward his vision of a company that exceeds customers’ expectations with impeccable quality and customer service. “Fast-Paced” does not begin to describe our fearless leader. He drinks from a red mug every morning. If the drip coffee isn’t ready yet, he pulls a shot of espresso. No one knows what the red mug says; it is a blur in Avi’s hands. With over 18 years in the coffee industry, he is the aficionado on all things coffee and strives for perfection in every cup. He has an undeniable passion for what he does and it is contagious to his team and everyone he meets. Outside his office and away from the warehouses, he is just as speedy. He enjoys kayaking in the bayou and off-roading in his jeep. He lavishes his free time on his loved-ones.

Favorite Quote:
“Life’s a journey, not a destination”
-Aerosmith (Amazing)

First job: Babysitting

Favorite book: I don’t have a favorite per se, but I really enjoy biographies and sociological/philosophical books

Title of your debut album: Sparkly Squirrel

Peanut butter or jelly? Peanut butter for the win

Biggest kitchen fail: Where do I start… let’s just say there has been smoke and blood… thank goodness for delivery!

Guilty pleasure: 80’s/90’s Hair Bands!!

Hidden talent: I can play the piano and flute, and I can drink water upside down (works like a charm to get rid of hiccups!)

What is your signature dance move? The shimmy

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Me, of course!

Favorite cause coffee: I really love all of them, but Bat City and Bayou Blend are near and dear to my heart

Favorite Quote:
Wake up with determination go to bed with satisfaction!

Since 2007, Big-Perm (aka Dr. Flavor) is part of our Katz Coffee Quality Control Department and also a stellar customer trainer. From the training room to the production warehouse, Will is on top of it all. He is always willing to give help or a word of encouragement. If he sees anyone having anything but a good time, he surprises them with a drink or intricate latte art… or busts out in a funky dance. During morning meetings, he can be seen waving his mug around while speaking, as many of us do, except his mug has udders. Will is unabashedly honest and unique. He has fully embraced the spirit of Katz Coffee.

Favorite Quote:
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

First job: Phone Monkey selling tickets for the Society for the Performing Arts. I got fired because trying to have 16-17 year-olds doing phone sales just isn’t a good business model. We just liked hanging out and drinking hot chocolate.

Favorite book: The last books I read were The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Naked Lunch. Long time ago.

Title of your debut album: Come for the Bastards

Peanut butter or jelly? Organic peanut butter, no added sugar. Ingredient list can only be peanuts and salt.

Biggest kitchen fail: Killed a microwave with a hot pocket type thing

Jesse is our main roaster. He has been with the company nearly 5 years and has developed a serious love for the craft. He uses espresso cups for his drinks, not mugs. He’s that hardcore. On occasion he has been spotted sipping from his coveted Batman mug (he’s a comic book guy at heart). When he is not at work, he is spending time with his family, cooking, or working on his coffee brewing skills at the house.

Every bean we roast passes through the hands or under the eyes of our Production Team. They are the miracle makers at Katz Coffee. They are hard-working and self-sacrificing people who put their hearts into every bag. They play just as hard as they work. After work, they play hard at soccer (when weather allows), and they have been known to dance on occasion. They all love their families and sometimes bring them to lunch. We are very proud of them and admire their dedication.

These three faces are a familiar sight around Houston and surrounding areas. Gary, Jerry, and Nick (Left to Right) make our regular deliveries and run hot-shots in coffee & tea emergencies. They are truly hardworking and dedicated individuals who show up to work before the sun and who can be seen dancing as they load their trucks regardless of the hour or weather.

Fixer of all things broken, Jesus takes his job as Lead Technician and his job as Father very seriously. He also takes his recreational artwork seriously, and tidbits of it can be found throughout the office. Over the phone, he can walk a customer through a set of trouble shooting and identify the issue prior to packing up a van and sending a technician for an onsite repair. Customers identify him by his unmistakable voice, even if they can’t remember his name. We can’t say for sure if he rinses out his Venom mug, but we do know that when he sets it on the desk for the night, he is either heading out to care for himself at the gym or care for his son at home.

Our Service Technicians are the grease and force that keep our customer’s equipment running smoothly. Don’t let their rugged appearance fool you, they have a unique sense of humor and positivity. They also have a stash of snacks in their fridge. Hera likes to hang out with them, though she is more often in the office. This is the team that knows how to relax after work at the bar or with their loved ones. It has even been rumored that some of them like long walks on the beach.

Hailing all the way from San Antonio, Lance is making waves in the Alamo City’s coffee scene. His coffee journey began in a little store called Central Market back in 2010 as the bulk section lead. Two years later, Lance found himself at SCAA’s (Specialty Coffee Association of America) annual conference, and the rest is history. These days, this Kat can be found hanging out with his family sipping some Café de Olla from his precious Tinkerbell mug, but be warned, he’s always prepared to take on a zombie apocalypse armed with his killer golf cart.

Favorite Quote: You Can Easily Judge the Character of a Man by How He Treats Those Who Can Do Nothing for Him

First job: Babysitting

Favorite book: Anything from Neil Gaiman

Title of your debut album: Who Stole My Pen?!

Peanut butter or jelly? Jalepeno jelly over cream cheese

Biggest kitchen fail: I remember once trying to bake something and thinking I can just double the ingredients. Guess it doesn’t always work that way.

Favorite Quote: “You know, I’ll never forget my old dad. When these things would happen to him… the things he’d say to me… ‘What the hell are you doing in the bathroom day and night? Why don’t you get out of there and give someone else a chance?'”

First job: Washing dishes and bussing tables at the old Night Hawk Steakhouse in Austin. The busboys had to fight over and stash butter plates to ensure our servers had plenty at their station. It got pretty brutal at times.

Favorite book: Lonesome Dove

Title of your debut album: “Old Fart In The Mirror”