Our Team
Ghim-Sim Chua (and mum), CEO & Founder
Ghim hails from the hot and humid island of Singapore. He relocated as soon as he could by fooling his parents into paying for a higher education in sunny California. He managed to further prolong his stay in the US with a job as a software engineer for eight and a half years. Now a permanent resident in the Northwest, he is now finally able to pursue his real dream of brewing the finest and freshest bottle teas in the world.
Jean Lange, VP of Sales & Promotions
Tempered in the sizzling pop music and radio markets, Jean Lange has propelled high-energy promotions for talented people and star products since 1998. Jean found her academic niche in media arts at the Art Institute of Seattle, then went on to join a leading radio syndicate company before striking out on her own to provide promotion and publicity services to clients nationwide. She's thrilled to be a part of the Cha Dao Tea Company where The True Taste of Tea is the industry's reigning star!
Robert Kohrt, Dir. Affiliate Relations
Robert grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula playing with pots and pans and making messes in his mother’s kitchen. The playing never really stopped and moved into a career in the hospitality industry. Anyone knowing Robert will attest that he has a passion for food and drink. Living in Washington allowed him to apply this passion as he explored the numerous coffee houses and wineries in his backyard. Now, the adventure shifts to tea as he learns the rules and ropes of this ancient beverage. Robert is honored to extend his years of service and hospitality to the growth of The Cha Dao Tea Company.
Richard Blumhagen, Operations Manager
Born and raised north of Seattle in the great community of Lake Stevens, Richard has always been an avid outdoor lover and hiking aficionado. Richard is trained as a professional baker and operations manager. One absolute Richard has learned in his baking career is that no one measures up to his mom’s chocolate cake. Richard is also a coffee addict thanks to his Panamanian wife. That’s why Richard was excited to learn of Cha Dao Tea and it’s offering of Yin Yang Tea, a coffee infused black tea that complements his mom’s cake.
Dennis Kleinsmith, Demo Coordinator
Growing up in Ontario, Canada, Dennis only knew tea to be bitter, black and tempered with either cream and sugar or honey and lemon. Imagine his surprise after having moved to Seattle to further his Acting career when he discovered tea could be so much more! While still working diligently to come to a movie screen or stage near you he has made it one of his lifes passions to also bring you a bottle or two of the freshest, best-tasting tea on the market today.
Curtis Schwab, Account Executive
Madhavi Vuthoori, All-Terrain Assistant
Born and raised in northern NJ, Madhavi came out to Seattle in December 2003. Exploring the Pacific NW, developing a love for coffee, wine, & food, she now finds herself drawn to the world of tea. Turned on to tea by Ghim and his tea company, she is proud to be a part of the Cha Dao Team.
Andrew Reynolds, Brew Lead
Andy moved to Seattle with his family from Pateros, WA when he was three. He always loved the outdoors when he was growing up and he goes camping, hunting, fishing, and snowboarding when he can. He was ambivalent about tea growing up, but his only tea exposure was Lipton. After working for Cha Dao, he got to try all these real tea flavors. He is now a fan of the Jasmine tea and is excited to be brewing America’s Freshest Tea.
John Sutton, Brew Lead
John was raised on coffee while growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He later journeyed to Washington to further his education and play in the Cascade’s pristine snow. While he continued with his love affair with coffee, something was not quite right. Fortunately, one day he met Ghim who introduced him to tea. Since replacing his daily ritual with fresh tea, he found his calling to be a part of Cha Dao, making America’s Freshest Tea.