Meet our team

our baristas are hand-picked and professionally trained to ensure that our clients receive top quality service and drinks for every event.

DETROIT, MI

elliot lewkow | @capman29

Elliot is the founder and owner of Cappuccino Man who pioneered the "coffeehouse on wheels" concept after moving from California to Michigan in 1992. The original concept was to sell steamer machines married to a cold brew espresso. Soon thereafter, a catering opportunity arose and Cappuccino Man was born. He is proud that after 25 years business is booming. Elliot doesn’t work behind the cart as much anymore but feels confident about the future as daughter, Sarah assumes leadership of the company. 

SARAH LEWKOW | @sosiebaby2

Sarah Lewkow started working behind the cart on a step stool at the age of 10. Throughout college Sarah sharpened her barista skills while working at Biggby Coffee in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Sarah also spent 5 years crafting espresso drinks at Plum Market in the Zingerman's Cafe in West Bloomfield, Michigan. After receiving a bachelors degree from Western Michigan University, she became Co-Owner and General Manager of Cappuccino Man Michigan.

CLARE CARR | @clar3mily

Clare joined the Cappuccino Man team in October of 2016. Since then,  she has refined her barista skills and is making a lot of progress with her latte art. When Clare is not working for Cappuccino Man, she supervises school-based programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Detroit. In her spare time, Clare enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, climbing and riding her bike.

Tasha Peace | @tashmygosh3

Tasha Peace has always been an avid coffee enthusiast, from sneaking sips of Folger’s as an adolescent to helping pick coffee cherries in a Nicaraguan coffee farm, the passion for the bean has not ceased. Currently they are a supervisor for a reserve Starbucks location. Recently they have began to blend the love for artwork with coffee by the incorporation of Latte art, which is both challenging and exciting. Their participation with Cappuccino Man has highlighted the enthusiasm for--and love of the coffee culture. Eventually they would like to return to central America and learn more of their sustainable coffee

SAMANTHA OTTO | @samantha.0tto

Samantha moved to Detroit in 2011 to study at the College for Creative Studies for Photography. During her four years there she worked as a barista. Coffee is such a wonderful ritual that brings people together and Samantha really enjoys being a part of that. She loves the amazing crew she works with, and loves whipping up lattes in a different place everyday.

LACEY BURLEY | @ruqqed

Lacey moved to Michigan in 2018 from Orange County, California, where she was born and raised. She fell in love with Michigan after visiting many times, which is where she discovered her love for coffee. After moving to Michigan, she developed her skill and passion working with Cappuccino Man. Her other interests include art and design.

MACKENZIE BORDEN | @mackenzieuhhh

Mackenzie started as a barista for The Cappuccino man way back in 2004! She is a talented jeweler and brings her creativity to the cart with her impressive latte art skills and fun flavor combinations. When she isn’t working as a barista, you can find her working in her jewelry studio, enjoying the outdoors, or listening to live music.

Luis E. krebs | @krepaskrebs

Born in the suburbs of Chicago but raised in the beaches of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Luis is a multi-cultural and mixed ethnic barista who lived in Mexico City for several years before coming back to the Midwest in 2015. He is an avid coffee drinker who appreciates quality, however, growing up in a touristic destination planted in him an even deeper appreciation for the joy and good memories that a great service can provide and he strives to transmit this feeling to all customers.

Joined the CappMan team on 2019 and took the position of Warehouse Manager and Coffee Stencil Designer/Manufacturer on 2021.

LOS ANGELES, CA

NOAH LEWKOW | @thebroah

Noah moved to Los Angeles from the suburbs of Detroit in 2003 to pursue a career in the skateboarding industry while finishing his college education at Cal Poly Pomona. In 2013 while working at a skateboard shop in Venice Beach he decided to launch Cappuccino Man California as a side gig. The demand for an espresso cart at special events was more than he had anticipated and it quickly became a full-time job. The company has served at over 1000 events in the Los Angeles area over the past 3.5 years with 6 carts, 3 vehicles, and about 10 baristas. 

Yesenia ramirez| @yesenia.ramirezz

Yesenia is a sponsored skateboarder and has worked for number of coffee shops in the LA area. She learned latte art while working at Civil Coffee in Highland Park. Her friendly personality and positive attitude can make anyone smile and makes her a perfect addition to our barista team. You can find plenty of videos of her skateboarding skills on YouTube and Instagram.

Brian Baca | @_cosmokramer

Brian is originally from Portland, Oregon and moved to Los Angeles about five years ago to pursue a career in the skateboarding industry. Being from the Pacific Northwest he was always surrounded by coffee enthusiasts and quality third wave coffee shops. He is also naturally talented sketch artist which helped him to quickly and easily learn how to steam milk properly and pour latte art. His training comes exclusively from working behind the CapMan cart and he is now a staple on the SoCal barista team.

Casey garcia| @_quesarito

Casey grew up in the Bay Area and moved to LA a few years ago to pursue his passion for music and film-making. He has quickly become a staple member of our barista team working mostly with his band-mate, Andrew from the Psych-Rock Band “Mountain Tamer”. They recently started a production company called “Mindburner”and have already written and directed a couple of music videos.

Brittany Martin | @b.rittanymartin

Brittany has been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years. Starting in corporate coffee as many baristas do, she moved into third wave coffee after her coffee knowledge grew, and with that her passion for ethically grown coffee and latte art. She has been living and working in the LA coffee scene for three years while pursuing a BA in Studio Arts. Feel free to test your best (or worst) puns and Dad jokes on her anytime you catch her on the cart!

ANDREW HALL | @awwshitson

Andrew grew up in East Bay Area. He got his first speciality coffee job in 2010 just before graduating high school. Over the years he has had hands on training by many top tier roasters such as  Verve, Blue Bottle, Kova, Stumptown and Equator to name a few. Besides his love for coffee Andrew loves skateboarding, art and music. Moving to LA with his band at the end of 2016 he quickly found Cappuccino Man to be the perfect job to balance his love of coffee and his hectic touring schedule. 

JJ Rice | @jjricer

JJ joined the team in 2018, when we needed some extra holiday help and he never left. He is a true “Rennaissance Man” with an incredible amount of knowledge and skills. He attended SDSU and earned a degree in Geological Sciences. He had no barista experience before working with us, but Latte Art came naturally and he learned to pour designs incredibly quickly.

JJ had also hand-built three of our espresso carts and has two other jobs where he is able to utilize his construction and craftsmen skills. When he is not working, he continues to pursue a career as a professional skateboarder. Check out his footage on YouTube!

Olivia saccomanno | @oliwankenobe

Olivia came highly recommended to us by one of our baristas in 2017 and is now a staple on the team. She is incredibly friendly, patient, accommodating and has great problem solving skills. Like many of our baristas, she learned her barista skills on-the-job and now can pour some very impressive latte art. She is also a theater actor and is an acting coach for a local Los Angeles acting school.