The gathering place for coffee people.
From craft to commercial, Agora is the glue that binds them.
Your trusted partner For Green Coffee
The global coffee market is in a continuous state of environmental, political, and social change. You need a partner who understands, and anticipates the challenges on both side of the supply chain.
We help origin suppliers and coffee roasters of all sizes form lasting partnerships based on their individual needs.
From small cafe owners, retailers, artisan roasters, traders, and world explorers looking for unique micro lot coffees; to large coffee multinationals with automated roasting plants and highly trained commodity traders – Agora can help.
What we Offer
Extensive Origin & Market Access
Our tightly knit network of coffee producers and exporters gives us the ability to source many different types, qualities and quantities of coffee – from unique microlots, to commercial containers.
There’s a deal for you. We’ll find it.
Deep coffee knowledge
Collectively, we’ve spent decades exporting, importing, roasting and marketing coffee. On top of that, we field a continuous flow of information from our partners across the supply chain.
There’s a big picture. We know it.
FINANCIAL & LOGISTICs EXPERTISE
We have pooled our own resources and expertise with that of our partners. The result is a consistent and reliable service that is expected by our suppliers and customers alike.
There’s a lot at stake. We get it.
MEET AGORA
MIGUEL SALAZAR
Founder & President
An 18 year veteran, Miguel began his coffee career in 2000 with the Colombian Coffee Federation in New York. He quickly gained an extensive knowledge of coffee production and exportation; while at the same time forging lasting relationships within the coffee roasting community of North America. In 2008, after 8 years with the CCF, Miguel entered the world of green coffee trading with Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, and later with Sucafina. These days, he is leveraging his extensive expertise and diverse network as Founder and President of Agora.
Email: Miguel@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: (973) 567-4495
Cell: (646) 280-0005
ALAN NIETLISBACH
BeanMan™
As a 2nd generation coffee trader, Alan has focused his career in the specialty green coffee industry for over twenty five years. He has built and scaled specialty trading teams and bespoke supply chains at major international trading houses. He is a Q grader and has judged numerous international coffee competitions including the very first Cup of Excellence. His connections in the specialty coffee industry are widespread and long standing. He has traveled extensively in and sourced from all the major coffee producing regions of the world. Alan provides in depth insights for both our origin partners as well as the specialty roaster with an innovative approach to sourcing, quality control, transparency and risk management. He is thrilled to be working with his son and passing on a passion for the coffee industry that he learned from his own father. Alan lives in Connecticut with his wife and enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, travel and making bread. They have three grown children. He was an economics major at Texas A&M University and a member of the Corps of Cadets.
Email: Alan@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: (973) 567-4497
Cell: (203) 500-7109
KEVIN M. O’REILLY
Senior Trader & Business Development Coordinator
With more than 30 years under his belt, Kevin got his start as a member of Balzac Brothers & Company, Inc. As a trader in the family business, Kevin was involved with quality evaluation, physical procurement and business development throughout North America. After 25 years, Kevin accepted a role as V.P of Coffee at Mitsui Foods, Inc. In 2012, having gained valuable knowledge of the global coffee industry, Kevin joined Olam Americas, Inc as a Senior Director of Commercial Coffee. Now with Agora, Kevin handles operations, sales and procurements throughout the global coffee market.
Email: Kevin@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: (973) 567-4496
Cell: (843) 819-7709
Carlos Alvarez
Sourcing & Origin Sales – Colombia
With more than 26 years in the coffee business, Carlos has acquired a wide experience in logistics and trade and has been involved on several fronts including with the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Ecom, Sucafina and Asoexport. He has always considered coffee flowing in his veins, loves outdoor sports and time with his family.
Carlos knowledge is focused on the internal coffee markets, especially Colombia and Peru and he has developed deep relationships with all main suppliers and producer groups in-country with a focus on buying, production and processing. Carlos will serve as Agora’s on-site LATAM contact person and liaison with all major producing countries.
Email: carlos@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: +57 (31) 5367 1151
Fernando Lopez
Sourcing & Origin Sales – Mexico
Fernando has 20 years of experience as Interim Executive in different industries, positions & places, earning his Industrial & Systems Engineering Degree alongside his Master in Administration Degree from Tec de Monterrey. Finally establishing his true passion, Fernando has worked in the different links of the Coffee Supply Chain. He likes to play golf and guitar, also enjoying concerts and sports events.
Fernando remembers his childhood smelling roasted coffee impregnated to clothes, climbing and jumping tall piles of scratchy coffee bags, visiting wet coffee mills with this characteristic smell of the fermentation tanks, the noisy sorting machines of the dry mills, and walking through coffee plantations with beautiful views. Fernando lives with his wife, son and daughter in Córdoba, Veracruz, a city known for its coffee industry and for its role in México´s Independence.
ALICE PETERS
Green Coffee Trader
Alice has over a decade of experience in specialty coffee, starting as a barista in college and working her way up to roasting and green buying. Eager to continue learning all things coffee, she took the leap to green coffee trading in 2015. With Alice’s ties to California and the Midwest, Agora will have a broader base in the US, tirelessly connecting roasters and producers. Today, Alice’s main goal is to aid in the quest for long lasting and sustainable relationships on all sides of the specialty coffee industry.
Email: Alice@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: (973) 567-4498
MIKE FERGUSON
Green Coffee Trader
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest where he developed a deep love for the outdoors, Mike has been in the coffee industry for over 10 years. He is a perfect match to Agora’s mission of building long term relationships that contribute to the growth of our partners along our supply chain. Mike’s energy and knowledge of the coffee industry will support our continued growth while providing high quality service for which he is known.
Email: Mike@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: (360) 921-9942
YVONNE LILLIE
Outbound Logistics Coordinator
Yvonne originally from Tahiti moved to California in the 80’s where she obtained her Business degree. She started working in the Jewelry business until 2004 when she pivoted to a new career in the coffee business as a logistics coordinator.. That is when she fell in love with the coffee business. With over a decade of experience handling logistics for renowned specialty coffee importers, Yvonne has excelled in the logistics arena thanks to her hard work and dedication. Yvonne’s main goal is to make sure that all customers are taken care of and she works tirelessly to achieve it. Her organization skills and knowledge of her work are big assets that contribute to the growth of Agora and creating closer relationship with our partners.
She is very passionate about working with the coffee industry and appreciates the efforts that everybody makes to bring the coffee to its last destination.
Email: Yvonne@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Phone: (858) 753-6313
NATALY BLANCO
Logistics and Operations
Nataly has been in the coffee industry for over 6 years focused on the supply chain which is one of
her passions. She started her carrier in Sucafina Specialty where she learned all related with the
industry especially inbound process in the US. Now, she’s happy to join Agora’s Team to contribute her knowledge and continue to learn about new processes.
She loves traveling and learning new languages. She has a degree in International Business
Management and a major in Supply Chain Management.
The Partnership Model
Every participant in the coffee market has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Yet we all face challenges and seek opportunity.
Agora is committed to creating and supporting partnerships, locally and in origin countries, that contribute to the growth of every person in our supply chain.
In this way, we are able to provide the service of a large multinational conglomerate, while maintaining the personal touch of a small, privately-owned coffee company.
This is the foundation on which Agora was built.
Contact US / See a Spot List
VISIT US
Galleria, 2 Bridge Ave. Suite 111
Red Bank, New Jersey 07701
Email Us
Sell to Agora: Trading@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Buy From Agora: Alan@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Samples & Order Status: Yvonne@agoracoffeemerchants.com
Call Us
Phone: (973) 567-4497
Fax: (848) 482-5900