Rotareminder May 8, 2025
President Rachel Kerns called the meeting to order and reviewed the agenda. Mrs. Rogher opened the meeting on the piano leading the club in singing of the The Battle Hymn of The Republic. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was led by Laing Kennedy. Our opening song was led by Dominique Bollenbacher, The Saints Come Marching In.
Visiting Rotarians
There were no visiting Rotarians.
Guests
Will Underwood introduced Chris Norton
Chas Madonio introduced his son Andrew Madonio
Announcements
President reminded those people who will volunteer at 8:00 for food distribution.
Todd Kamesh reminded people that there were still signup sheets to help with the International Town and Gown Conference in June. They still need session monitors. Sheet contains days and times needing coverage. He will reach out to you after scheduling is complete to give you your assignment.
Denise Baba announced that PARTA has its annual golf outing on the 16th of this month. Still looking for foursomes. You can go to the PARTA website to register or see her after the meeting. In addition, she announced that it is PARTA’S 50thanniversary! A bus that is wrapped in the timeline of achievements over the years is out and about through Kent.
Dominique Bollenbacher announced that our own Jim Myers will be giving a Tap Talk on Tuesday May 13 at North Water Brewery on The History of Thompson Drugs.
Jackie announced that Open Arms Adoptions is having a golf outing on June 27th to help underwrite the services the agency provides.
Stanton Student of the Month
Kathy Scott, Principal of Stanton Middle School, introduced Kailani Walker as their Student of the Month. Kailani is an eighth grader as part of the Titan Team. She was accompanied by her parents and grandparents. Her favorite subjects are science and history and credits an uncle who helped her keep an open mind and trying new things! Her many accomplishments include the following:
-She is a straight A student in course work but finds time to be part of the orchestra. Wednesdays Demons, and she has performed at The Akron Pride Festival.
-She has been a Regional Finalist in The Geography Bee and won the Laws of Life Essay Contest’s Grand Prize!
-Her community involvement includes volunteering at the Kent Safety School program, watching young children at her church to free their parents to attend services, and is a member of her church’s youth group planning a mission project.
Kailani is unsure of her plans but has an eye on Kent State University or The University of Pennsylvania in STEM programming.
Roosevelt Student of the Month
Principal Dennis Love introduced Senior Carter Slack as Roosevelt’s Student of the Month. He was accompanied by his parents, Lindsay and Jason Slack. Carter has a GPA of 4.538 and has been named as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist with a score of 35! He takes many AP classes at Roosevelt as well as College courses at Kent State University. Beyond his academic achievements, Carter was recognized for the following:
-he was a standout performer in Cross Country, being named Honorable Mention in the All-Suburban League. He was named Scholar Athlete in Soccer, Cross Country, and Track, as well as receiving the Rough Rider Award in multiple sports.
-Carter was inducted into the National Honor Society, achieved the AP Government’s President’s Award, and was named an AQP Scholar With Distinction.
-His extra curriculars include the Chess Club, Student Council, Class Representative, and Academic Challenge.
In addition to his intelligence and achievements, he was recognized by his teachers for his caring and kindness, the respect of his teammates and fellow students, and his willingness to help anyone! His future includes attending The Ohio State University and majoring in Computer Science.
Happy Bucks
Asad Khan for his son coming home from college this week and for our Students of the Month.
Justin Gates, expressing how impressed he was, for our Students of the Month.
Denise Baba for her daughter who took 1st place in the Undergraduate Symposium and graduating this coming Friday.
John Flynn for the ability to be here after his multi week medical crisis. On behalf of all who helped and supported him and his family he presented a $500 check to The Kent Rotary Foundation, thanking everyone!!
Nelson Burns for John’s return!
Chas Madonio for John’s return!
Kathy Myers for Mrs. Rogher filling in for Students of the Month, one for John Flynn, and Tom Myers who has a birthday on Wednesday.
Anne Moneypenny for John Flynn who has been her attorney since 1970!
Program
Anne Moneypenny introduced Ryan Brannon Managing Partner of Bent Tree Coffee Roasters and board member of Kent Area Chamber of Commerce. Ryan is a 1995 Graduate of Roosevelt High School. Before coffee, Ryan was a touring musician who traveled extensively across the Unite d States, England, and Ireland. He opened for many well-known bands. Returning to Kent, he and his partner Mike had a mission of roasting organic coffee a little at a time in the community. From a little café on North Water, it is now a wholesale business venture. His wife Caitlyn of 14 years have two children and is deeply committed to the Krent Community.
Ryan started the program by thanking Rotary for the invitation to tell the story of Bent Tree and introduced a power point to go along with his remarks. As a prelude he indicated he couldn’t have imagined the success they have had and the great support of the community! This included the KRBA, the Kent Regional Business Alliance that helped develop the initial business plan to wholesale roasted coffee. His comments included the following points:
-originally, they were going to be located on the south side of Kent but eventually ended up downtown in the old Soboro’s Pizza building on North Water Street in 2011. It was empty and they started renting but eventually purchased the property. Due to the location the business plan changed from only being wholesale.
-People walked in curious about what the business about and he enjoyed talking about it and making them a fresh up of coffee. Business and shopping in Kent were expanding, and people enjoyed meeting over coffee. After a few years the wholesale business began to outgrow the space, and the retail part of the business grew. There was no other coffee roaster in Kent.
-The business started out with an investment of very small roaster knowing that a startup venture could fail. Did not want to over invest. The first roaster only made 2 ½ pounds per batch. Eventually expanded to a 5-pound roaster after a year. Could use both at the same time.
-After 4 years at the North water location the business had grown to the point they needed to expand their operations, eventually finding a space in the building that houses Mad Cap brewery on Mogadore Road This allowed retail to grow with the addition of an expresso machine and selling bags of coffee. The retail space was expanded allowing for more seating.
-The new space was great, and the business continued to grow. But after 7 years the expanding inventory of equipment to keep pace with the wholesale expansion outgrew this space. They eventually moved back downtown and now reside back downtown on North Mantua Street. They have a large space in the building they share with a variety of other businesses. All shipments for wholesale and retail come to the new location. Being across the river from the retail shop makes it convenient.
-One of the most challenging things was the moving of the wholesale business to the new location which included the installation of a new, much larger, roaster to accommodate the expanding business. Heinen’s was their first grocery partner, including all 18 stores. From there Giant Eagle and Meijers have become partners. The wholesale business expanded rapidly.
Their success with the grocery chains is because they have a great product, they are approachable, and they are reliable.
-their latest expansion is with Amazon. It took awhile to work with large corporation, but their sales have rapidly grown. They ship product t to Amazon who then ships to the customers who purchase the coffee. Amazon gives you the opportunity to present as many products as you want. Surprisingly Bent Tree’s “Half Caf” blend outsells the “Breakfast Blend” on Amazon and ships all over the country.
Finally, Ryan talked about partnerships and the commitment to the community. At Kent State University coffee is in the Student Center, the aerospace building, and the new business building. Wild Goats was the first restaurant to feature the coffee, but now many local establishments serve Bent Tree Coffee, such as Belleria, Brimfield Bakery, and Hometown Bank. He believes in the personal connection in our town citing his love of this community, Roosevelt High School, the people etc.
Ryan thanked us all for the opportunity to talk about the business.
Responder
Chas Madonio thanked Ryan for the presentation citing the great story and how inspiring it was.
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