Our qualifications helped pave the way
DOCR's reputation is built on more than 15 years of intentional and thoughtful hard work in the specialty coffee industry. Here is some insight into the work that we’ve done:
- Roast Magazine Roaster of the Year Finalist, 2026
- Four Golden Bean Awards
- Global Coffee Awards, Honorable Mention for the Single Origin Experimental category, Brazil Vinicius Ignotti — "Volcano" Fermented Natural | Espresso
- America's Best Espresso, 2nd Place, 2017
- Hour Detroit Best Coffee Shop, 2023, 2024, and 2025 (as voted by Hour Detroit readers and subscribers)
- Hour Detroit Best Coffee Brand, 2025 (as voted by Hour Detroit readers and subscribers)
- City of Ferndale Project of the Year, 2023
- World of Coffee (formerly known as SCA) Expo Roaster Village, featured booth in 2025
- World of Coffee (formerly known as SCA) booth partnerships with Probat, SLAYER, Compak, Dalla Corte, + more
- Top reseller in the Midwest region for SLAYER, La Marzocco, + more
- Featured in Fellow Drops
- Pioneered and hosted the first Detroit Coffee Week backed by SCA, July 2024
- Featured in Sprudge, Thrillist, Eater Detroit, Roast Magazine's Daily Coffee News — see our press page for articles + more
Introducing the folks that make up DOCR's EDU DEPT —
DIRECTORS
Nate Hamood
President + Director of Coffee
Nate leads DOCR's roasting program and continues to guide the company in its path of becoming leaders in the coffee industry — a journey that began with a converted rotisserie oven purchased with his life's savings at the time. That humble origin has since grown into a multi-location specialty coffee roaster with cafes in Rochester, Detroit, Royal Oak, and Ferndale.
Over the years, Nate has refined his craft alongside the company's growth, investing in advanced equipment and building strong ties with every community DOCR calls home.
His work has earned him recognition as a Crain's Detroit Business 20 in Their Twenties honoree and a Corp! Magazine Most Valuable Millennial Entrepreneur in 2021. He was also the recipient of the RAYA Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award (2012) and the City of Rochester Downtown Business Recognition Award (2019). Nate is a Wayne State University Irvin D. Reid Honors College Scholar and placed in the Final Eight at the Latte Art World Open Championship in 2013.
Amélie Boulanger
Director of Sales + Education
Amélie has been working in specialty coffee for 12 years, running and managing cafes, sourcing and roasting coffee, and now working as DOCR's Director of Sales + Education.
In addition to leading DOCR’s EDU team, Amélie regularly works with baristas, ensuring they receive thorough coffee education, and helps guide the certification of DOCR baristas. Amélie's work goes beyond DOCR and Michigan as a main contributor to the specialty coffee space. She is consistently making connections nationwide and attending specialty coffee events across the country.
Amélie was recently featured in SprudgeTwenty Class of 2025 and placed in the Final Eight in the Latte Art World Open Championship in 2018.
EDUCATION MANAGERS
Emma LaVoie
Education Manager
Emma has been working in specialty coffee for 6 years, and has spent her time as a shift supervisor, coffee roaster, and now educator. One thing she loves about specialty coffee is that there is always more to learn.
Emma has been a constant presence in the local coffee community and has won several latte art competitions. She's even competed in the World Latte Art Championship.
Between working as a barista, competing, and providing one-on-one training to DOCR baristas, Emma has also hosted many educational coffee classes to our local coffee community. With years of industry experience, she's helped lead the creation of DOCR's Education Department with Amélie and Tyler. In order to stay sharp, Emma attends many seminars herself to stay up-to-date on the ever-growing coffee industry.
Tyler Bunting
Tech + Education Manager
Tyler has been working in specialty coffee for 11 years, and has spent his time training baristas, roasting coffee, and is now an espresso machine technician. Locally, Tyler has competed (and won) in several latte art competitions, in addition to also competing in the World Latte Art Championship.
He has taught many barista-in-training how to make their first pour over, pull their first shot, as well as create beautiful latte art.
In order to receive technician status, Tyler attended many demonstrations and educational seminars over the last year, igniting his passion for the technicalities and understanding the intricacies of espresso machinery. He can show you the way around any espresso machine.
Both Tyler and Emma have played a pivotal role in pioneering DOCR's Education Department, hosting many coffee classes to DOCR's supportive community.
CERTIFIED EDUCATORS
Faith Carter
Certified Educator
General Manager, DOCR Rochester
Carter is fluent in talking about coffee with everyone she meets. She has rigorous experience in crafting top-tier coffee beverages, training, and working alongside various groups of baristas leading them in to exceptional service and hospitality.
Carter has recently began working on developing classes and teaching about coffee one-on-one in DOCR's Education Department having recently become certified through our internal Coffee Educator program.
Working in the specialty coffee space for 6 years now, Carter enjoys and loves witnessing baristas level up their coffee knowledge. She loves (and hopes!) to inspire folks to harbor a passion for specialty coffee like she does!
Josh Woederman
Certified Educator
Assistant Manager, DOCR Royal Oak
Josh has been working in the coffee indusrry for nearly 7 years, and has plenty of experience running cafes, along with leading baristas through training and guidance into leadership roles. He enjoys attending SCA events, has helped many novice baristas gain their flow, and encouraged them to continue their careers in coffee.
Josh has had experience hosting and developing classes, as well as teaching about coffee and developing skills one-on-one with baristas and coffee professionals. He has rigorous training and experience in specialty coffee and loves to share his passion with others.
Read student testimonials & reviews —
What we've been up to at DOCR —
Learn more about DOCR Academy's current courses
VIEW CLASSES + TICKETS
Reach out to our EDU team —
If you're interested to learn more about our Education Department, our team, and DOCR Academy, feel free to reach out to us below. A DOCR Coffee Educator will follow up with you directly!