Gaviña Coffee Passes The Torch To The Next Generation – CoffeeTalk

Gaviña Coffee Co., a coffee company in Vernon, has passed into its fourth generation of family ownership, following the death of co-founder and then-president Pedro Gaviña in September. The company’s presidency is now split among three cousins: Lisette Gaviña Lopez, Michael Gaviña, and Frank Gaviña, each serving as managing director of sales and marketing, accounting and financing, and operations, respectively. Gaviña Lopez, who also serves as board chair and chief executive, is among another sibling and eight total cousins, steering the company forward.

Pedro Gaviña co-founded the company in 1967 with his own parents and other siblings after settling in Los Angeles as immigrants fleeing the new Cuban regime under Fidel Castro. The family’s history as coffee farmers dates back to the 1800s. Gaviña’s death was preceded by that of brother Francisco “Paco” Gaviña, the engineer who designed the company’s roasting and packing facility, in August.

Gaviña Coffee has faced recent economic headwinds, including the pandemic’s supply chain disruptions and changing workforce regulations. Additionally, tariffs on South American countries have affected supply prices, with virtually all coffee in the U.S. having to be imported. Gaviña Coffee’s business model, which imports all green coffee through the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach and roasts it here, means they cannot import pre-roasted beans from elsewhere.

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