S&D Coffee & Tea Exec Named Vice Chair of World Coffee Research

Tracy Ging, vice president of sustainability and strategic initiatives for Concord, N.C.-based S&D Coffee & Tea, has been named vice chairperson of World Coffee Research (WCR), a nonprofit collaborative research and development program of the global coffee industry. 

Ging has been active in WCR from the inception of the organization in 2012, helping to shape it into the fully operational global research institute it is today.

Ging will serve a three-year term on the organization’s executive committee – holding the positions of chairperson and immediate past chairperson following her time as vice chairperson. She previously served on the WCR board of directors, in addition to supporting the organization’s communication strategy and fundraising initiatives.

“I am honored by this opportunity to increase my leadership within WCR, an organization whose mission and vision I hold dear,” said Ging. “I look forward to working with the leadership team, partner institutions and member companies, like S&D, to keep the organization on its impressive trajectory and drive strategies that will have a significant effect on the future of coffee.”

WCR works to develop coffee varieties, genetic resources and accompanying technologies, and disseminates them strategically and collaboratively in producing countries to alleviate current and future constraints to the supply chain of fine Arabica coffees. Ging is uniquely suited for this role, as the initiatives of WCR align with her experience at origin and position at S&D overseeing sustainable supply chain development and environmental efficiencies.

“The critical, groundbreaking work done by WCR could not be completed or funded by a single company,” added Ging. “It is a true collaboration focused on positively impacting the supply chain and providing long-term value to our industry.”