Our Visionaires

Our visionaries have not only shaped the direction of our Doi Chaang Coffee Company, but they have also transformed the lives of the Doi Chang Coffee growers.

The Doi Chaang Fresh Roasted Coffee Company, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

• Piko Saedoo - Founding Father
• Wicha Promyong - President
• Pornprapa Bunmusik (Sandra) - General Manager

The Doi Chaang Coffee Company, Vancouver, Canada

• John M. Darch - President & Chief Executive Officer
• John A. Darch - Chief Financial Officer
  

The Doi Chaang Fresh Roasted Coffee Company, Chaing Rai Province, Thailand

Piko Saedoo - Founding Father, Doi Chaang Fresh Roasted Coffee Company

Piko is the head of the Akha community's largest and most prominent family. In 1983, when his Majesty, King Bhumibol, began the Royal Initiatives to encourage crop substitutions to eliminate opium cultivation and slash-and-burn horticulture, Piko and his family were the first to start cultivating coffee. As the village head, he encouraged his fellow villagers to follow the King's directive and join him in the cultivation of coffee. After 20 years of cultivating and processing beans, Piko decided it was time to roast and directly offer the coffee as a single-origin Arabica.

Piko is a kind, hard-working man who is proud of the Akha heritage, community and success as independent coffee producers. The Doi Chang community greatly respects the dedication and leadership of Piko and honours him by featuring his image within the Doi Chaang Coffee logo.

Wicha Promyong - President, Doi Chaang Fresh Roasted Coffee Company

Wicha spent many years as a successful businessman in Thailand and traveled extensively overseas before joining the Doi Chaang community. He has helped many Northern Thailand hill tribes in their struggle for equality and acceptance. Piko asked Wicha for guidance in selling Doi Chaang Coffee and Wicha encouraged the villagers to unite and form an independent company to represent all the Doi Chang farmers.

Wicha has not only been instrumental in Doi Chang's development but has also helped raise the standard of living and self-respect of the Akha people. He lives among the Doi Chang community as a well-respected and trusted family member. He has come to embrace the Akha Way and is dedicating his life to improving the well-being of the Akha people and establishing Doi Chaang Coffee as the best coffee in the world.

Wicha is determined to see the Akha people fully recognized for their dedication and accomplishments.

Pornprapa Bunmusik (Sandra) - General Manager, Doi Chaang Fresh Roasted Coffee Company

Sandra helped introduce Doi Chaang coffee to the coffee drinkers of Thailand and other Asian countries. She is multi-lingual, Thai and North American educated and has extensive expertise in both the coffee business and international trade.

As the General Manager for Doi Chaang Fresh Roasted Coffee Company, she is responsible for administration, marketing and sales within Thailand. Her dedication and belief in Doi Chaang as a single-origin coffee has resulted in a high demand for Doi Chaang Coffee from restaurants, hotels and coffee shops all over Asia. It was Sandra's initiative that brought the Thai and Canadian teams together to introduce Doi Chaang to the international market.

The Doi Chaang Coffee Company, Vancouver, Canada

John M. Darch - Co-Founder, President & CEO,

Doi Chaang Coffee Company

Following many years of commercial banking experience with major international banks in England and Canada, John established himself as a successful entrepreneur. Over a period of 25 years, his vision, tenacity and financing expertise enabled him to secure several hundred million dollars for the development of significant and diversified natural resource projects throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.

As the past Chairman and CEO of a multi-national, diversified mining company engaged in exploration, development and operations employing thousands, he has gained considerable experience in the areas of corporate management, project management and administration. In particular, John has had over 20 years business development in Thailand, where he was one of the founders of a world-class potash project, for which over one hundred million dollars was raised.

His excellent reputation and close personal association with many senior Thai businessmen made him an obvious candidate to help lead Doi Chaang Coffee into the international market.

John A. Darch- Chief Financial Officer,

Doi Chaang Coffee Company

Originally from Southern England, John Alexander Darch began his career in the world of finance in 1986 as the Controller for the Vancouver based Crew Group of Mining Companies before moving to the US in 1992 to join the US Bank Corp.

In 1995, creative instincts lead him to return to Canada to pursue his passion of photography. His subjects ranged from high profile celebrities to political leaders. John A's work had been noted in various widely-popular mainstream publications such as Rolling Stone Magazine & BC Business Magazine.

Following years of splitting working life between London and Vancouver, shooting campaigns, annual reports and editorial assignments John A. decided to return to the world of finance. For the past 6 years he has been the CFO for Vancouver based Western Investments Ltd, which holds significant international investments, including Doi Chaang Coffee Company.

As CFO of Doi Chaang Coffee Company, John A. is incorporating his life experience of innovation and mindset of core values for global sustainability and unique global business perspectives. With this he guides Doi Chaang Coffee with the mission statement of commitment to elevating the awareness & standards of coffee quality, going beyond fair trade and sustainable agriculture.

Shawn McDonald - Former President, Roastmaster,

Doi Chaang Coffee Company

With nearly 20 years experience in the coffee business, Shawn has created numerous signature blends and coffee roasts that are consumed daily throughout North America. As the sole creator of Planet Coffee Roasters, Shawn established successful retail and wholesale outlets throughout Calgary, Alberta. He also co-founded The Broadway Roastery, a chain of coffeehouses in Saskatchewan and helped develop Mayan Winds Canada, a partnership with the growers of the Chiapas region of Mexico that imports high-grade Mexican Chiapas coffee. During his career in the coffee industry, Shawn has also established direct and strong working relationships with growers in Nicaragua, Mexico, Hawaii and Costa Rica.