Lance has been working in the restaurant industry since he was 17. Paying his way through school at American University in Washington, DC he moved to the Triangle area in 2002 with Maggiano’s.
He worked at the Angus Barn for nearly 14 years in multiple positions and was a member of the Wine Cellar staff there, receiving his Court of Master Sommeliers certification (2nd level) in 2011.
He started Bethesda Roasting Company, a wholesale coffee roasting company in 2013 and began supplying restaurants with his coffee in 2014. Weekends at a local farmer’s market built the company while relying heavily on the training he received in the sommelier program to create coffee roast profiles. He started Som’s Café in 2017 but had to close the physical location due to COVID-19. He and his wife Ashley re-launched Som’s Café as an online cafe in 2020.
Outside of work Lance also helps with his sons’ cub scout pack, loves gardening, and helps with Financial Peace University, a personal finance program.