THE COLLECTIVE

Rachel Apple

Rachel Apple

Rachel in black stetson hat with yellow bandana, hand on hat
Rachel in cafe smiling, black clothes, serving coffee

Quality Control

Ethical Green Coffee Sourcing

Budget Strategy

Roastery and Café Builds

Executive Coaching

Cupping and Sample Roasting

Coffee Education/Teaching

Photographic Documentation
& Story-Telling

International Travel

Education: Kansas City Arts Institute | University of Central Oklahoma | Oklahoma University || BFA in Art (triple major 🫣) in Photography, Ceramics, and Art History

Certifications: Arabica Q Grader, SCA Green Grading, COE Sensory Education Training Instructor, COE Head Judge, USBC Head Judge, Sensory Lead, & Committee Member, USBrC Sensory Judge

Favorite Software: Excel, Word, Google Suite, PowerPoint, Airtable, Notion, Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop, Slack/Zoom/Discord, Canva, Streak

Additional Software: Hubspot, Asana, Pipedrive, Miro, Prefinery, Retool, Cropster

Rachel Apple is an esteemed figure in the specialty coffee industry, boasting 18 years of comprehensive experience. With a knack for forging impactful relationships and driving operational excellence, Rachel has left an indelible mark on every project she's touched. From her tenure as Quality Control Manager at George Howell Coffee Company to her instrumental role in building out the green and roasted coffee supply chains and quality systems at Cometeer, she has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of expertise, passion, and dedication. Rachel's extensive resume includes pivotal roles at Cup of Excellence, where she serves as a Head Judge, as well as being a certified SET Course Instructor. Her commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is evident in her work, and her collaborative approach has garnered praise from industry peers. Rachel also serves as a US Barista Championship Head Judge, Sensory Lead, and Committee member, investing years in volunteer work and leadership in the specialty coffee community. Although Rachel now calls Boston home, she maintains her Oklahoma roots with flair, often spotted donning fringe or her Stetson cowboy hat. Rumor has it that her buttermilk biscuits & homemade jam are unmatched, a testament to her multifaceted talents beyond the coffee world.

  • "Rachel’s unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for coffee consistently set her apart. Her commitment and passion is inspiring and a true asset to any organization."

    JENNY & GEORGE HOWELL

    Director of Coffee, CEO/El Jefe

    George Howell Coffee Company

  • "Strong, intelligent, hardworking, and caring — these are not attributes you often find in one person, and that rare collection of skills makes Rachel a true force in our industry. I would be proud to have Rachel on our team any day, and any team that chooses to work with her will be better for it."

    KYLE RAMAGE

    Founder, CEO

    Black & White Coffee

  • "Passionate, professional and committed are just some words to describe what first comes to mind when thinking about Rachel. Every experience Cup of Excellence has had with Rachel has been above and beyond, from her initiation as international juror to leading a panel as a head judge. The Cup of Excellence and myself as individual have been honored to work with Rachel and learn from her skills in the industry."

    GARY URRUTIA

    Managing Director

    Cup of Excellence

  • "It doesn't take long after you start working with Rachel to understand that this is going to be a special experience. Rachel is sharp and meticulous, while also somehow managing to be easygoing and fun. She pours her heart into her work. She is candid and direct. She does what she says she'll do. I'm truly looking forward to the day when we get to work together again!"

    KYLE GLANVILLE

    Co-Founder, CEO

    Go Get Em Tiger

  • "Rachel is a powerhouse of knowledge when it comes to green coffee, roasting and quality control. Thanks to Rachel and CropConex, we were able to source one of our best selling coffees of 2023. It’ll be near impossible to find someone with so much drive and passion for this industry and the people who are a part of it."

    MATT FERRARO

    Director of Operations & Roasting

    Black & White Coffee Roasters