Our Team
FOUNDER, CEO AND DIRECTOR
DR. PETE POOVANNA
Pete is an Indian-born Canadian entrepreneur, an inventor, and a climate champion who founded Forest Bean Inc. in 2019. Currently, he is the Canada Lead for energy decarbonization at the Jacobs Solutions, implementing zero-emission transportation initiatives in Canada.
Dr. Poovanna is the inventor of the U.S. patented technology called nature-inspired capillary-assisted evaporator for sustainable air-conditioning. Pete’s parents are sixth-generation coffee farmers in India who produce the best quality of coffee with the utmost emphasis on sustainability. Pete is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post, Policy Options, and has several scientific publications related to clean technology. Pete holds a PhD in Mechatronic Systems Engineering from Simon Fraser University, Canada. Before moving to Canada for his PhD, Pete worked with the multinational automotive company Robert Bosch, Germany as a senior mechanical engineer.
SR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
KEVIN J. CURTIS
Kevin is a Vancouver-based sales and marketing expert with over a decade of experience in the beverage, digital media, and technology industries. He has a proven track record of building strong relationships and driving sales growth with innovative strategies. Throughout his career, Kevin has collaborated with companies like Lass Chance Beverage Co., TIME Family of Wines, and Andrew Peller Ltd., managing diverse portfolios and creating initiatives that significantly boosted sales. His deep understanding of the beverage industry and passion for sustainability align perfectly with Forest Bean. A lifelong coffee enthusiast, Kevin promotes eco-friendly coffee and biodiversity. Beyond his professional roles, he has served as a wine judge, marketing committee member, and digital marketing instructor. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario and a Diploma in IT Technologies from Sheridan College.
Head Roaster
MENGO McCALL
Mengo's journey in the coffee industry began after a successful career in senior sales management and corporate sustainability. His passion for coffee developed while creating an office coffee business, leading him to join Mountain Coffee as a partner in 2015. He transformed it into a thriving importer and co-founded the Beanstock Coffee Festival in Canada. After selling both ventures in 2021, Mengo co-founded Finest Beans, specializing in Ethiopian coffee importing. In September 2023, he acquired Coffee Central Roasting, where he trains new roasters and offers white-label roasting services. As a coffee consultant for a Canadian government initiative, Mengo promotes trade with developing countries. Now, as Head Roaster at Forest Bean, Mengo focuses on quality and sustainable sourcing, aiming to enhance coffee profiles and elevate the company's reputation while upholding ethical and eco-friendly practices.