Smithers Huntington, President
Smithers graduated from Joesville University several years ago with a Business degree and decided to pursue his passion of art. While living in Joesville, Smithers saw the lack of a neighborhood coffee house where artists and families could come and enjoy quality music, coffee, and local art. Using his business acumen, Smithers founded the Crazy Bean cafe and decided to make his dream a reality!
Smithers graduated from Joesville University several years ago with a Business degree and decided to pursue his passion of art. While living in Joesville, Smithers saw the lack of a neighborhood coffee house where artists and families could come and enjoy quality music, coffee, and local art. Using his business acumen, Smithers founded the Crazy Bean cafe and decided to make his dream a reality!
Jackie Smeltz, Manager
The amazing Jackie Smeltz joined our team over eight years ago. Before working at Crazy Bean, Jackie spent fifteen years working as a very successful trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. However, after fifteen years of working ninety hour weeks at a job she had no passion for and barely ever having time to see her two kids, Jackie was burnt out. Jackie’s realization about the crisis of her work-life balance came together just months before the market crash. While already on the brink of a break down, Jackie’s employer, Lehman Brothers, went completely under. Jackie was out of a trading gig and did not intend to find another. Burnt out and disillusioned with Wall Street, Jackie packed up her two kids and moved to our beautiful little town. Now Jackie uses her financial acumen and real world business experience to manage one of our amazing locations, providing our customers with great coffee on the daily. When Jackie is not working, she spends time with her two amazing children, and helps local artists secure funding and manage their finances on a volunteer basis.
The amazing Jackie Smeltz joined our team over eight years ago. Before working at Crazy Bean, Jackie spent fifteen years working as a very successful trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. However, after fifteen years of working ninety hour weeks at a job she had no passion for and barely ever having time to see her two kids, Jackie was burnt out. Jackie’s realization about the crisis of her work-life balance came together just months before the market crash. While already on the brink of a break down, Jackie’s employer, Lehman Brothers, went completely under. Jackie was out of a trading gig and did not intend to find another. Burnt out and disillusioned with Wall Street, Jackie packed up her two kids and moved to our beautiful little town. Now Jackie uses her financial acumen and real world business experience to manage one of our amazing locations, providing our customers with great coffee on the daily. When Jackie is not working, she spends time with her two amazing children, and helps local artists secure funding and manage their finances on a volunteer basis.
Matt O'Connor, Manager
Matt O’Connor, or as he is affectionately known by his friends, Mattie, first started working at Crazy Bean seven years ago after his yearlong personal pilgrimage across India and Tibet. After having a spiritual awakening in Motuo while studying Anapanasati meditation, Mattie realized he didn’t want to go back to the consumerist middle class lifestyle he was raised in. Instead, Mattie decided to pursue his two passions in life, coffee and music. Mattie started as a homegrown barista here at Crazy Bean, and over the past eight of years he has grown into a talented connoisseur in his own right. After three years, Mattie was promoted to manager because of his immense knowledge of coffee, and the positive spiritual energy he brings to our team. When Mattie isn’t sharing his bean wisdom and enlightened auras with his coworkers, he pursues his other passion as a solo singer song writer and as the lead singer of the band “Eightfold”.
Matt O’Connor, or as he is affectionately known by his friends, Mattie, first started working at Crazy Bean seven years ago after his yearlong personal pilgrimage across India and Tibet. After having a spiritual awakening in Motuo while studying Anapanasati meditation, Mattie realized he didn’t want to go back to the consumerist middle class lifestyle he was raised in. Instead, Mattie decided to pursue his two passions in life, coffee and music. Mattie started as a homegrown barista here at Crazy Bean, and over the past eight of years he has grown into a talented connoisseur in his own right. After three years, Mattie was promoted to manager because of his immense knowledge of coffee, and the positive spiritual energy he brings to our team. When Mattie isn’t sharing his bean wisdom and enlightened auras with his coworkers, he pursues his other passion as a solo singer song writer and as the lead singer of the band “Eightfold”.
Carlos Rodrigues, Manager
Carlos joined the Crazy Bean family about nine years ago. Hired straight out of high school, Carlos couldn’t afford to pay for college out of pocket and had no interest in student debt. Instead, Carlos decided to pursue his passion of social entrepreneurship by getting job experience here at Crazy Bean. Carlos was inspired by our use of fair trade organic coffee, and this enthusiasm launched Carlos into quickly becoming a manager of one of our amazing stores. Carlos is by far our most educated employee when it comes to all things related to fair trade coffee. Three years later, Carlos partnered with a hand full of independent coffee farmers in Argentina and started “Third Wave”, his own line of fair trade organic of which he is the roaster. We now proudly carry Third Wave Coffee in all of our Crazy Bean locations. When Carlos isn’t working at Crazy Bean or working on his side hustle, he’s the bassist for the band “Eightfold”.
Carlos joined the Crazy Bean family about nine years ago. Hired straight out of high school, Carlos couldn’t afford to pay for college out of pocket and had no interest in student debt. Instead, Carlos decided to pursue his passion of social entrepreneurship by getting job experience here at Crazy Bean. Carlos was inspired by our use of fair trade organic coffee, and this enthusiasm launched Carlos into quickly becoming a manager of one of our amazing stores. Carlos is by far our most educated employee when it comes to all things related to fair trade coffee. Three years later, Carlos partnered with a hand full of independent coffee farmers in Argentina and started “Third Wave”, his own line of fair trade organic of which he is the roaster. We now proudly carry Third Wave Coffee in all of our Crazy Bean locations. When Carlos isn’t working at Crazy Bean or working on his side hustle, he’s the bassist for the band “Eightfold”.
Jason Hu, Manager
Jason Hu started here at Crazy Bean about three years ago. Jason was drawn to Crazy Bean initially for a different reason than most of our other managers. While Jason is as in love with coffee as the rest of us, his true passion is finding the perfect pairings between coffee and vegan cuisine. After completing an accelerated culinary arts program at our local community college, Jason joined our team as not a barista, but as a chef. His creativity and passion for making casual dishes that match our laid back coffee shop atmosphere quickly propelled him into leadership. As a chef, Jason added a plethora of simple yet delicious vegan dishes to our menu. Since becoming a manager, Jason has made it his goal to promote the pairing of coffee and vegan cuisine in all of our locations. Two years ago, he oversaw the creation of our famous vegan brunch buffet, available every Sunday in all of our locations. When not working at Crazy Bean, Jason volunteers with the local chapter of the Lost Cats and Dogs Foundation. Jason is very passionate about helping animals, and has four rescued dogs of his own.
Jason Hu started here at Crazy Bean about three years ago. Jason was drawn to Crazy Bean initially for a different reason than most of our other managers. While Jason is as in love with coffee as the rest of us, his true passion is finding the perfect pairings between coffee and vegan cuisine. After completing an accelerated culinary arts program at our local community college, Jason joined our team as not a barista, but as a chef. His creativity and passion for making casual dishes that match our laid back coffee shop atmosphere quickly propelled him into leadership. As a chef, Jason added a plethora of simple yet delicious vegan dishes to our menu. Since becoming a manager, Jason has made it his goal to promote the pairing of coffee and vegan cuisine in all of our locations. Two years ago, he oversaw the creation of our famous vegan brunch buffet, available every Sunday in all of our locations. When not working at Crazy Bean, Jason volunteers with the local chapter of the Lost Cats and Dogs Foundation. Jason is very passionate about helping animals, and has four rescued dogs of his own.