May 7, 2012

Meet the Teamakers – Dave

At Last: This is Dave – All things mechanical, manufacturing and operational. Master-mind of getting old things to work and  engineering new stuff – a philosophic problem-solver.

It isn’t right that a person who has been with us from the start, be so late to the introductions. But that’s what happens to the guy who controls all the power tools. Unbeknownst to Dave, an early invitation by Steve to “check out some equipment with me”, has turned into another chapter in his tea life.

Early partners since their days at Stash, Dave has been mixing it up with Steve in the tea world for a very long time. As a partner and head of manufacturing, He brings a wealth of know- how, a wry wit and a work ethic hard to rival. He is an integral part of our ability to blend and pack all the tea we produce right here in our tiny facility in Portland, Oregon.

You might even know Dave and wondered where’s he’s been lately?  Well, he’s here, at the Teaworks, keeping things moving Monday – Friday and probably on the off hours too. Come in for a pot of tea and you’ll see him through the glass window, a shy smile and an ever-present to -go cup of coffee nearby (yes, coffee) Feel free to knock, wave or leave him a sticky note.

Here’s what Dave had to say when recently interviewed over a slice of his favorite Apple Pie with melted cheddar cheese on top.

Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?

A:”The happiest time is when I actually take my cup and sit down”. ( Dave doesn’t sit much)

Q: Which famous figures  in history would you most like to have tea with?

A: “Steve Smith”!    (No kidding, that’s what he really said)

Q: What do you most hope to read in the tea leaves?

A: “SUCCESS”.

Q: What do you least want to see in the tea leaves?

A: “That’s unprintable, so I guess I’ll go with foreign objects”.

Q: What do you think about when your tea is steeping?

A: “Depends on the tea. Usually it’s the origin and smells of the country it was grown”. (Sounds like Dave has been to most of the tea-growing regions in the world)

Q: What really gets you steamed?

A: ” When kitty’s having a fit” (An insiders joke: all the tea packing equipment at Smith has a name)

Q: What is your motto?

A: TEA HAPPENS! (lots of laughter amongst the teamakers)

Q: What is the shortest path to peace?

A: “When the tea packs itself”.

Q: If you were a tea bush, what kind would you be?

A: ” I would be found deep in Yunnan Province, unpruned and untrained”.