Experienced Association Executive, Dawn Jantsch, to Take the Helm in November

LONG BEACH, Calif. U.S.A. (October 27, 2006) — Following a four month search and selection process, the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) announced today the hiring of Dawn Jantsch to be the association’s next executive director. Jantsch is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with 20 years nonprofit and association management experience. SCAA’s board President, Rob Stephen, said he anticipates Jantsch’s first day in the office being November 27th.

Current SCAA Executive Director, Ted Lingle, said, “I’m very pleased that the board of directors chose an experienced association executive. I am confident Dawn has the right combination of skill and experience to lead SCAA.” Lingle, who is currently working part-time as executive director for the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), will accelerate his transition into that role full-time once Jantsch arrives at SCAA.

Jantsch comes to SCAA from the American Culinary Federation, Inc. where she was the managing director. “The American Culinary Federation, Inc. is an incredible organization, committed to educating the culinary industry,” said Jantsch. “I look forward to an immersion in the world of specialty coffee, and utilizing 17 years of hospitality experience in leading the SCAA in its mission of excellence and education.”