About Sea State Coffee
Sea State Coffee was founded by Kristian, a Marine Corps veteran whose journey has taken him from the yellow footprints of MCRD San Diego to the elite ranks of Force Recon and into the world of specialty coffee. After his initial four year enlistment on active duty in the Marine Corps, Kristian pursued higher education—earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Alaska Southeast and then a master’s in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University all while still continuing his service to his country in the USMC reserves. Where he attended many different military courses such as the Infantry Assaultman's Course, Basic Reconnaissance Course, MCIWS, Army Airborne, Joint Fires Observer, S.E.R.E, Marine Combatant Diver Course, and Military Multi-Mission Parachute Course.
After his time in the Marine Corps, Kristian continued to operate in high-risk, austere environments—first as a drone contractor, then as a counter-UAV instructor training Army units before deployment. These roles demanded precision, patience, and an unshakable attention to detail—qualities that would soon fuel a new mission.
While deployed in Afghanistan, Kristian picked up a small coffee roaster to fill the quiet hours. What started as a personal hobby quickly turned into something more. The aroma of freshly roasted coffee began drawing in fellow Marines and contractors, offering a rare moment of comfort, camaraderie, and normalcy in the middle of a combat zone.
That simple act—sharing a great cup of coffee under the harshest conditions—planted the seed for Sea State Coffee.
The name “Sea State” is drawn from military terminology, describing the ocean’s surface conditions—critical intel for mission planning. For us, it symbolizes strength, clarity, and readiness in unpredictable environments. At Sea State Coffee, we carry those same values into every bag we roast: precision, resilience, and a relentless commitment to quality.
That mindset is at the core of Sea State Coffee. Built on the principles of precision, resilience, and purpose, Kristian now applies the same intensity and care to roasting as he did in the field. Every batch is a tribute to the journey—crafted for those who value quality, character, and coffee that’s as bold as the life you lead.