About Us

 Cleona Coffee Roasters officially began in 2021, founded by Matt Zechman, a veteran and first responder whose life and career have been shaped by service, consistency, and care. What started years earlier as a simple habit quickly grew into something much deeper. At the heart of it all is the belief that coffee has the power to bring people together. Simply put: Coffee started us; Community keeps us.

Matt’s journey into coffee began as a way to save money, but it didn’t stay there for long. Curiosity took over. Learning where coffee comes from, how it’s processed, how it’s roasted, and why it tastes the way it does became a passion. Coffee became more than a drink. It became a shared experience, a conversation starter, and a way to connect with others. From early home brewing experiments to studying coffee origins, processing methods, and roasting techniques, the journey has always been fueled by education and curiosity. Along the way, coffee became a constant, whether brewing for friends, coworkers, or fellow service members overseas. That shared ritual of a good cup of coffee laid the foundation for what Cleona Coffee Roasters is today.

At Cleona, quality comes first. We do not use artificial flavorings or low-quality beans. Instead, we focus on sourcing high-quality coffees and roasting them intentionally to highlight their natural tasting notes. Our goal is not to cover up flavor, but to bring it forward, allowing each coffee to reflect where it came from and how it was grown. We are also actively working toward sourcing more of our coffees directly from farmers. Building these relationships allows us to better understand the people behind the coffee and the conditions it was grown under. Direct sourcing helps us maintain stronger traceability, improve consistency from batch to batch, and keep more coffee readily available without compromising quality. For us, this is a long-term investment in sustainability, transparency, and delivering a better cup every time.

As the roastery has grown, so has the team behind it. In 2025, Cleona Coffee Roasters expanded its team to better serve customers and partners alike. This growth allows us to improve consistency, reliability, and turnaround times while continuing to invest in better systems, stronger sourcing relationships, and long-term sustainability.

Giving back has always been central to the mission for us. Through fundraiser blends, product donations, and direct community support, Cleona Coffee Roasters has reinvested tens of thousands of dollars back into local causes, first responders, and service organizations. Every bag of coffee plays a role in making that impact possible.

At the end of the day, Cleona Coffee Roasters exists for this: to create great coffee and meaningful connections within the communities we serve. We’re grateful for every customer who chooses to support a small, community-driven roastery and be part of our story. Coffee started us; Community keeps us.