Brandon Bir

Brandon Bir has a diverse work experience spanning several industries. Brandon started as a Radio DJ Intern at Hot 107.9 fm from March 1998 to January 2001. Brandon then worked as the Head of Retail Operations at Tam Bam Inc. from January 2005 to April 2006, where they successfully turned a struggling store into a profitable location. From April 2006 to November 2009, Brandon served as the Manager and Trainer at Nordstrom espresso bar, where they created a vibrant work environment and focused on coffee passion and customer service. Since April 2010, they have been at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, initially serving as the Sourcing and Education Manager, responsible for educating customers and staff about coffee and its history, coordinating transactions, and traveling globally to find the best coffees. Currently, they hold the position of Director of Sustainability, leading education and sustainability initiatives, building relationships, and finding innovative ways to create a more sustainable coffee future.

Brandon Bir attended three different institutions for their education. Brandon first attended Heartland from 1998 to 2000, where they studied Culinary Arts. From 2001 to 2005, they attended Purdue University, focusing on Social Psychology. Later, from 2011 to 2014, they pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business & Sustainability from the University of Wisconsin - Consortium.

In addition to their formal education, Brandon Bir has obtained several certifications. These include being a Coffee Q-Grader and Q-Processing Generalist from the Coffee Quality Institute, a Lab/campus inspector from the Specialty Coffee Association, and a Certified Barista from the Barista Guild of America. Brandon also obtained certifications in various levels of coffee tasting and tea foundations from the Specialty Coffee Association and the Specialty Tea Institute, respectively.