The National Coffee Association (NCA) has announced the recipients of its prestigious annual awards, set to be presented during its upcoming convention in Houston on March 7, 2025. These awards honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the coffee industry.
Allan Colley, a key figure in the coffee warehousing and logistics sector, will receive the 2025 NCA Distinguished Leadership Award. With a career spanning over five decades, Colley played a crucial role in shaping modern coffee storage solutions. Under his leadership, Dupuy Group introduced the first U.S. green coffee silo in 1992, among other innovations that advanced warehousing and logistics in the coffee industry. His dedication to the sector, including past leadership roles with the Southern Coffee Association and the Green Coffee Association, has left a lasting impact.
Kyle Bawot, senior director at Ofi, has been named Volunteer of the Year. His contributions to the NCA’s Next Gen Council, where he has served since 2019 and chaired for the past two years, have helped strengthen initiatives aimed at supporting the next generation of coffee professionals. Bawot also played a key role in launching the NCA Mentorship Program, fostering leadership development within the coffee sector.
Additionally, Root Capital, an organization dedicated to financing and supporting agricultural enterprises, has been honored as the NCA Origin Charity of the Year. Root Capital has provided over $2 billion in loans to more than 800 agricultural businesses, many of which are tied to coffee farming. Their work focuses on empowering farming communities through financial services that promote gender equity, climate resilience, and economic opportunities.
NCA President and CEO Bill Murray emphasized the importance of these contributions, stating, “These awards celebrate leaders and organizations that are making a real difference in the coffee industry, whether through innovation, mentorship, or sustainable development. Their work continues to shape a better future for coffee professionals and producers worldwide.”
The NCA’s annual convention will bring together key players from across the coffee supply chain to discuss trends, challenges, and the future of the industry, making it an ideal setting to recognize these outstanding contributions.