William Gutierrez

The founder of Santa Lucia Estate Coffee, Nicaraguan native William Gutierrez came to the US to live the American dream. Already active in agriculture trade, the specialty coffee industry arose in the early 90’s and the beautiful coffee cherries of Nicaragua were unknown in the US. William saw a niche of changing coffee palettes in the restaurant setting and began to introduce this premium product to the hospitality industry through the DC region and nationwide. Bean by bean, he knocked on the doors of some of the city's best restaurant's chefs and managers, and made them reconsider the coffee they served and proceeded to grow the Santa Lucia business and brand.

Thirty years later and no less passionate, William still believes in the coffee of Nicaragua and the quality cup it represents. He’s grateful for all of the people the industry has brought into his life and thrilled to watch the family business become what it is today. Family and travel are the pillars of William’s life. An avid traveler to unique destinations around the globe, there are always more checks on William's bucket list. His favorite travel companions are his wife Jodi, and sons Robert and Marco.

Jodi Lehr

A long standing and enthusiastic member of Washington DC's hospitality community, Jodi has been a member of the industry for over 40 years and continues to grow her professional passion of promoting food, beverage, entertainment, and the nation’s capital!

Joining husband William Gutierrez and working with Santa Lucia, one of Washington DC’s original sustainable coffee companies, Jodi is an integral part of the family business. Since 1994, Santa Lucia has challenged restaurants and hospitality centers to improve the coffee they serve by offering Nicaragua’s finest high mountain beans and DC's most premium coffee.

Prior to Santa Lucia, Jodi worked on the other side of the industry most notably with acclaimed Chef Roberto Donna for 13 years building his Italian restaurant group during the formative years of the celebrity chef driven restaurant era. Jodi coordinated great parties and fabulous events as one of the first chef's assistants in Washington D.C. There were also stints as the marketing director of the former D.C. post office in addition to retail management, nightclub promoting, and corporate event planning(in San Francisco, CA.)

Great people, travel, food, and wine have kept Jodi going although her greatest passion is her family…highlighted by her partner in crime William, and two sons Robert and Marco.

Marco Gutierrez

After earning his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Marco, the younger son of Jodi and William, seamlessly joined the family coffee business. Having grown up immersed in both the industry and the Washington, D.C. area, his transition into the company was a natural extension of his entrepreneurial drive and technical expertise.

Although Marco officially joined the company in 2021, his deep connection to the coffee culture was instilled from a young age becoming ingrained in his blood over the years. He quickly became a pivotal figure, driving product innovation and establishing himself as a skilled and reliable technician, salesman, customer service expert, and asset to the team. Among his contributions are the development of SL Cups, Cold Brew, and Nitro Brew, with his Cold Brew earning accolades as the finest east of the Mississippi.

If you see Marco at any of our charity events in the D.C. area, be sure to sample one of his signature Nitro Brew martinis—crafted to perfection by the young Mr. Coffee himself.