Who We Are
PACIFIC COFFEE RESEARCH
Pacific Coffee Research was founded by coffee professionals set out to change the Hawai’i coffee industry through education, collaboration, and support services.
We provide education and skills training to baristas, roasters, producers, and everyone who wants to learn something new about coffee. As an SCA Premier Training Campus, our team includes experienced coffee trainers and Authorized SCA Trainers.
We are committed to illuminating the coffee supply chain’s interconnectedness. We believe that our unique position of operating in a coffee producing region gives us the opportunity to explore the entire supply chain in one location. We strive to promote this community and contribute to it by providing PCR as an open space for collaboration. We know that our industry makes great strides forward when we work together to find solutions with a holistic approach.
Meet The Team
BRITTANY
HORN
Brit is PCR’s Founder who recognizes that education improves the lives of growers, quality of product, and consumer consciousness. Providing the local and broader communities with unique and valuable opportunities to learn about coffee in all of its forms is what led her to open Pacific Coffee Research. She is an Authorized SCA Trainer in Green Coffee, Sensory Skills and Sustainability in Coffee. She has taught at the SCA Global Coffee Expo, Roasters Guild Retreat, and in collaboration with other industry leaders to students around the world. She served on the board of the Hawai’i Coffee Association’s Executive Committee for five years and remains closely involved with the nonprofit sector of the coffee community. She has chaired and organized the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival and Hawai’i Coffee Association’s cupping competitions since 2019. Brit has also served as a judge for the US National Brewers Cup.
MEG
DUKA
Meg is the Production Manager at Pacific Coffee Research. In this position, she is busy roasting coffee, communicating with farmers and cafes, fielding customer inquiries, and delivering delicious coffee around the island! Meg is PCR’s resident Q Arabica Grader who started her coffee career as a barista in Georgia in 2014. Since then, she has aimed to work in as many areas of the coffee supply chain as possible, to fully be able to understand and appreciate this amazing product. From being a barista and manager in coffee shops, to working on coffee farms here in beautiful Kailua-Kona, Meg is excited to see where Pacific Coffee Research heads next.
David
McAllister
David is a production roaster at Pacific Coffee Research. His curiosity has furthered his passion and desire to understand the many facets of the Hawaiian coffee industry and its connection to the wider global coffee landscape. David started his coffee career as a production assistant on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2021. Since then, he has gained experience dry milling, transporting green coffee, and as a production roaster. In his current role, he is intrigued by the intersectionality between the data driven science and intuitive craftsmanship that exists in modern day coffee roasting. David is always excited to grow professionally and seeks to embrace learning opportunities that working for Pacific Coffee Research provides.
ERIC
MUSIL
Eric is a tinkerer not afraid to explore the unknown and figure out how things work. He is an Authroized SCA Trainer in Brewing, Roasting, and Sensory Skills. He is PCR’s resident Equipment Technician and Q Arabica Grader at Pacific Coffee Research. Eric’s on call for the café in distress and also takes a role in PCR’s quality control and analysis services. Eric started his coffee career as a barista in Utah in 2020 and was hooked. Since moving to Hawai’i, Eric has managed a cafe, become a licensed Q Arabica Grader, trained as an Equipment Technician, and even started managing a small farm – actually, the one where PCR is located! Eric is always excited to learn and Pacific Coffee Research loves to fuel that passion.
Meet The Team
BRITTANY
HORN
Werner
THIE
Werner is a Co-Founder of Pacific Coffee Research who brings a tech-savvy, forward-thinking perspective to the coffee industry. With a background in electrical engineering and decades in the European tech sector, he transitioned to coffee farming in Hawai‘i, where PCR’s office and lab are located on his Kona farm. Werner integrates sustainable agriculture with innovative technologies, including solar-powered sensors and open-source tools. His work focuses on building resilient, long-term systems that support both the land and the people who steward it—always with an eye toward the next 500 years. He’s also the heart of the PCR team.
MEG
DUKA
Meg is the Roastery Manager at Pacific Coffee Research and a certified Q Arabica Grader. She began her coffee journey in 2014 as a barista in Georgia and has since built a diverse skill set across the coffee supply chain. Her experience includes café management, hands-on work at coffee farms in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and now, leading the roastery department at PCR. Meg is passionate about deepening her understanding of coffee from seed to cup, and her well-rounded background allows her to bring both technical expertise and a holistic perspective to her role in sourcing, roasting, and quality control.
Eric
Musil
Eric is the Equipment Technician and a Q Arabica Grader at Pacific Coffee Research, where he also serves as an Authorized SCA Trainer in Brewing, Roasting, and Sensory Skills. A natural tinkerer with a passion for problem-solving, Eric supports cafés in need and plays a key role in PCR’s quality control and analysis services. He began his coffee journey as a barista in Utah in 2020 and quickly became immersed in the industry. In addition to his technical and training work, Eric manages Makani Kai Farm, the small coffee farm that serves as PCR’s home base in Kailua-Kona.
David
McAllister
David is a Production Roaster at Pacific Coffee Research with a deep curiosity for the Hawai‘i coffee industry and its place within the global coffee landscape. He began his career in 2021 as a production assistant on the Big Island and has since gained experience in dry milling, green coffee transport, and roasting. In his current role, David is driven by the intersection of data-driven science and intuitive craftsmanship that defines modern coffee roasting, and he continues to explore the complexities of the supply chain with a commitment to quality and learning.
Mariah
Standal
Mariah is the Social Media Manager at Pacific Coffee Research, bringing seven years of experience in sales and marketing within the specialty beverage industry. With a strong appreciation for Hawai‘i-grown coffee and PCR’s mission, she helps shape the company’s creative marketing direction. As a professional photographer and videographer, Mariah has captured Hawai‘i’s cupping and barista competitions over the years, visually documenting the local coffee community. She’s passionate about storytelling, connection, and exploring coffee’s deep roots in Hawai‘i, and is excited to continue sharing that journey through PCR’s digital platforms.
Charlotte
Glasgo
Charlotte is the Chief of Staff at Pacific Coffee Research, where she supports the team through thoughtful systems, strong communication, and behind-the-scenes magic that keeps operations running smoothly. With a passion for people and process, she tackles the organizational details and spontaneous (but essential) projects that help the PCR team thrive. Never one to enjoy boredom, Charlotte found her place in the dynamic world of coffee—where there’s always something new to learn and improve. Her work ensures that PCR’s internal culture is just as strong and vibrant as the coffee it supports.
