Our qualified leadership team has extensive experience in growing and operating businesses both in America and East Africa.
Founders:
Scott Ford
Mr. Ford was President of Alltel from 1996 to 2001 when he succeeded Joe Ford as CEO. Scott led Alltel through several major business transformations including the acquisitions of Western Wireless Corporation and 360 Communications, which transformed Alltel into a national wireless carrier. He led the $27 billion LBO of Alltel in 2007 and its sale to Verizon Wireless in 2009. During his tenure, Alltel common stock substantially outperformed that of its peers in the communications industry.
Joe Ford
Mr. Ford was the CEO of Alltel Corporation from 1987 until his retirement in 2001. He was Alltel’s Chairman from 1991 until 2007 when Alltel was sold in a leveraged buy-out. Among other achievements, Joe was responsible for Alltel’s visionary transformation from a small, rural carrier to a large, multi-state, NYSE listed company. He also led Alltel’s investment strategy and the development of its wireless business. By 2008, the company had grown to 12 million customers and $12 billion in revenue.
Westrock Coffee:
Todd Brogdon
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Brogdon spent two years in Rwanda creating a microfinance bank and serving as the CFO and CEO during his tenure. Todd began his career with KPMG and developed federal tax credit funds while working with the venture capital fund, Diamond State Ventures. He currently leads Westrock Coffee’s teams in the United States and East Africa.
Jay Porter
VP Sales & Business Development
Mr. Porter served as Vice President of Sales and Distribution for Alltel Corporation. During his 12 year tenure with Alltel, Jay managed numerous retail markets and directed the efforts of several hundred employees. He now leads the retail sales effort for Westrock Coffee.
Dave Atkins
VP Production & Customer Care
Mr. Atkins served as the President of Wireless Operations for Alltel Corporation. Dave was responsible for over $12 billion in annual revenues for the company. He now is responsible for Westrock Coffee’s roasting operations, quality control and customer care.
Dean Smith
General Manager – Coffee Services
Mr. Smith served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Dean’s Coffee Service. He now manages Westrock Coffee’s service division which provides coffee sales, service and delivery to offices, convenience stores, restaurants and coffee shops.
Rwanda Trading Company:
Constantine Havyalimana
Production Manager
Trained in Hamburg, Germany, Constantine has 30 years of experience in green coffee processing and production.
James Dargan
Director of Procurement & Sales
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, James began his career by helping open and manage a family-owned restaurant in his home state. He moved to Rwanda in 2007 working for Bourbon Coffee to open new locations. He also worked as a broker for a Rwandan specialty coffee company before joining RTC in April 2009.
Matt Smith
Director of Finance & Administration
After receiving his degree from Texas State University in Business Management, Matt moved to Rwanda to work with Cards From Africa, a local nonprofit, in the area of Business Development. He continued to work in the Finance and Administration departments of various nonprofit organizations in Rwanda before joining RTC in May 2009.
