My name is Mike Ferguson and, yes, I have a website...
All the details as sometimes required in writing but which are rarely brought up in polite dinner conversation unless your narcissism outweighs your ability to maintain basic social boundaries.
BIO
While not the most important fact to know about Mike Ferguson, some may find it noteworthy that he desperately dislikes writing about himself in third person, and refuses to do so unless those for whom he is writing insist on it. In the absence of such insistence…
I was born and raised in California where I lived most of my life. I now live near Atlanta, Georgia with my wife, Jennifer, and my two youngest daughters, Piper-Jean (6) and Quinn-Michael (8). Older daughter Aubrey (21) attends college near Portland Oregon, and Karina (20) lives and works on Bullhead, AZ.
In 1998 I received my Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California, and then went to work for the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) as Marketing Communications Director. I immediately fell in love with coffee, the coffee industry, and its people. When I left SCAA in 2007 I was serving as the association’s chief of staff and a spokesperson for the specialty coffee industry.
Travelling extensively throughout the U.S. on behalf of SCAA, I also visited several coffee growing regions. I have written for numerous trade publication covering the U.S. coffee industry, overseen several research projects on coffee tends, and been a presenter at Coffee Fest, NASCORE, The World Tea Expo, and The Retail Baker’s Association.
After a brief time working as Director of Operations for Seattle’s Zoka Coffee, I started Fresh Ground Consulting and began working as a Senior Consultant with Coffee Solution, Inc. While working with coffee related companies on content, marketing, positioning, and strategy, I continued looking for my next home in the coffee industry.
In December 2009 I joined Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters as Business Development Director.
Operating Principles
- Honor commitments to such a degree that those to whom promises are made feel highly valued.
- Exceed expectations for quality and service.
- Demonstrate audacity without arrogance.
- Be known for integrity and fostering a culture of accountability.
- Bring energy and thoughtfulness to managing the workload.
- Practice servant leadership as a manager.
- Be an assertive and diplomatic participant in project management and planning the growth of the company.
- Be an example to customers of productivity, efficient teamwork, and sound business practices.
- Engage in ongoing and open communication with each other and customers.
- Question, learn, and teach, teach, teach.
- Recognize that vital relationships and sincere connections are at the heart of every success.
- Regularly invite feedback and demonstrate listening.
- Initiate change with grace, and accept change gracefully.
- Guard fiercely the confidentiality of the company and customers and honor that confidentiality at all times, without compromise.
CV
Business Development Director (2009 - Present)
Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters (Olympia, WA & Atlanta, GA)
Owner (2007 – 2009)
Fresh Ground Consulting (Fullerton, California)
Senior Consultant (2008 – 2009)
Coffee Solutions (Hopedale, Massachusetts)
Director of Operations (2007 – 2008)
Zoka Coffee Roasters & Tea Company (Seattle, Washington)
Chief of Staff (2005 – 2007)
Specialty Coffee Association of America (Long Beach, California)
Chief Communications Officer (2003 – 2005)
Marketing Communications Director (1998 – 2003)
Specialty Coffee Association of America (Long Beach, California)
Consultant, Self-Employed (1995-1998)
Opus Unlimited (Los Gatos, California)
Allocation and Evaluation Specialist (1995-1996)
United Way of Santa Clara County (San Jose, California)
Director of Programs (1994-1995)
Homeless Program Coordinator (1993-1994)
Volunteer and Vocational Programs Coordinator (1992-1993)
Homeless Program Counselor (1992-1992)
The Mental Health Association of Orange County (Santa Ana, California)
Education
Masters of Fine Arts in Writing (1998)
Course work included writing workshops and a variety of seminar-style classes on craft, essay, ontemporary fiction, and contemporary thought. Taught freshman composition. Helped create the iterary magazine “In • Tense” and then served as its first Fiction Editor. Served as Director of the orthern California Student Writer’s Exchange.
MA (incomplete), Counseling (May 1987-88)
Course work included classes in psychological assessment, crisis counseling, research, psychopathology, and internships at local counseling centers. Attained 1,000 hours of counseling experience toward licensure.
BA, Adolescent Education and Psychology (1985)
Course work consisted primarily of studies in adolescent psychology, theology, and organizational development. Wrote sketch comedy and slide-show scripts for recruiting department.
