BOARD MEMBER (2022-2025)
James Freeman founded Blue Bottle Coffee in the summer of 2002, after leaving his career as a freelance clarinetist. His first roastery was a 186-square-foot converted potting shed in Oakland, California. Blue Bottle Coffee, purchased by Nestle in 2017, has grown to a network of several roasteries and over 100 cafes, spanning the United States and Asia.
Named “Coffee Professional of the Year” by Imbibe Magazine and one of Fast Company magazine’s 100 most creative people in business, James is also an author of The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee, published by Ten Speed Press. James has been featured in the national and international press including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, GQ, the Japan Times, and CBS This Morning.
James lives in Ojai, California with his children Dashiell, Linden, and Monroe. He met his wife, Caitlin, while making coffee at the Berkeley Farmers Market.
