THE TEAM

OUR TEAM

While on a family trip in Spain years ago, Ground Ops coffee roaster Conner Smith tried different coffees and knew he wanted to explore more. Today, he loves bringing out the natural flavors in coffee beans in each roast. There are endless possibilities when it comes to roasting coffee. Where was the bean harvested and how does that climate affect taste? How were the beans extracted from the fruit that surrounds them? What is the roast profile for any particular batch?
These factors have a huge impact on flavor and the coffee experience. Conner and his brother Chase went with their dad Chris in 2021 to Minneapolis, MN, to hone the art of coffee roasting at Mill City Roasters and bring it back home to Ground Ops. When he isn’t roasting, Conner enjoys time with his wife Amber, a mortgage loan officer and master taste tester. Conner and Amber welcomed their first chlld, Zai, in January 2023.

OUR TEAM

While on a family trip in Spain years ago, Ground Ops coffee roaster Conner Smith tried different coffees and knew he wanted to explore more. Today, he loves bringing out the natural flavors in coffee beans in each roast. There are endless possibilities when it comes to roasting coffee. Where was the bean harvested and how does that climate affect taste? How were the beans extracted from the fruit that surrounds them? What is the roast profile for any particular batch?
These factors have a huge impact on flavor and the coffee experience. Conner and his brother Chase went with their dad Chris in 2021 to Minneapolis, MN, to hone the art of coffee roasting at Mill City Roasters and bring it back home to Ground Ops. When he isn’t roasting, Conner enjoys time with his wife Amber, a mortgage loan officer and master taste tester. They’re expecting their first child in early 2023.
Ground Ops baker Chris Smith loves making people happy with food, and he approaches baking with the wonder and stomach of a kid. More frosting, more marshmallows, more cheese! A Navy veteran and longtime volunteer firefighter, Chris was a deputy for the Leon County Sheriffs Office for 12 years before trading his badge and holster for oven mitts and mixing bowls. He was an apprentice at Au Peche Mignon in the early 90s while attending FSU, and he decided through that experience that his baking style matches his life mantra: “What is worth doing, is worth overdoing.” And once you taste his sweet and savory rolls, Hello Cakes, banana pudding and other sweets, you’ll taste the abundance of love and “extra” he puts into everything.
Chris’ signature Hello Cakes got their name from his wife Shannon, after he brought one to her the first time they met in December 2021. They said hello that day, and never said goodbye. Shannon is a full-time PR and marketing executive who lends her expertise to all things marketing and social media at Ground Ops. It’s largely because of her, an avid dog rescuer, that Ground Ops is dog-friendly and serves pup ice cream.
Ground Ops baker Chris Smith loves making people happy with food, and he approaches baking with the wonder and stomach of a kid. More frosting, more marshmallows, more cheese! A Navy veteran and longtime volunteer firefighter, Chris was a deputy for the Leon County Sheriffs Office for 12 years before trading his badge and holster for oven mitts and mixing bowls. He was an apprentice at Au Peche Mignon in the early 90s while attending FSU, and he decided through that experience that his baking style matches his life mantra: “What is worth doing, is worth overdoing.” And once you taste his sweet and savory rolls, Hello Cakes, banana pudding and other sweets, you’ll taste the abundance of love and “extra” he puts into everything.
Chris’ signature Hello Cakes got their name from his fiancée/wife Shannon, after he brought one to her the first time they met in December 2021. They said hello that day, and never said goodbye. Shannon is a full-time PR and marketing executive who lends her expertise to all things marketing and social media at Ground Ops. It’s largely because of her, an avid dog rescuer, that Ground Ops is dog-friendly and serves pup ice cream.

Barista

Anna Smith


Barista

Johnny Doeer


Barista

Mitchell Bryant


Barista

Anna Smith


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