Coffee News® Family

Ben Sprague comes to Coffee News after an eleven-year career as a senior commercial banker for First National Bank.  He is a former member of the Bangor City Council and served twice as the mayor of Bangor.  Ben was born and raised in Bangor and graduated from Bangor High School in 2002.  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University in 2006, Ben worked for the Boston Red Sox for four years and also taught high school diploma and career development classes.  Ben then returned to Maine.  Ben has served on the boards of the Bangor YMCA, All Souls Congregational Church, Good Shepherd Food Bank, the Maine Community Foundation, and the Maine Municipal Bond Bank.  He is currently a member of the Bangor School Committee and writes a popular weekly article series about the economy entitled The Sunday Morning Post.  

Malorie works part-time as a marketing coordinator for All Souls Congregational Church, and is a former employee of Maine Savings Federal Credit Union.  She serves on the Board of the Maine Discovery (Children’s) Museum and is a very busy and active mom.

The Sprague’s became the local publishers of six editions of Coffee News in June 2024, which they continue to operate in addition to running the Coffee News franchise system.  Ben and Malorie live in Bangor with their three children.  Ben enjoys coaching his kids’ soccer and basketball teams, golf, and cheering on the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots.  When they have free time together, Ben and Malorie enjoy playing cribbage and exploring the Maine coast.

Contact Ben today!

As Senior Vice President of Franchise Development for Coffee News®, John manages the franchise selection and approval process, assists in training and development of franchisees, and reporting of critical data related to franchise growth.

John holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Speech Communications from Keene State, certification in Broadcasting from the New England School of Communications and studied music and business at the University of Maine. He has spent several years in the Direct Response industry and has a background in radio and television broadcasting.

John resides in Portland, Maine and is an active musician and aficionado of classic cars.

Contact John today!

Garrett Guernsey is the Chief Financial Officer of Coffee News® and minority owner of Coffee News® Printing, LLC. His company motto is “It is not what you make, it is what you keep.”

Work with Coffee News® began when Garrett was employed by Edwards, Faust & Smith, CPAs, as a staff accountant in 1996. In January 2004, he opened Guernsey Accounting Services and quickly found himself in demand by many of the same clients that he had built strong trusting relationships with. Coffee News® was the first such client that was engaged and, in less than one week, it was very clear that the most important skill that he had honed was building strong business relationships. Clients sought his services because he would not only provide great service but also help educate them and increase their level of understanding of their business.

Garrett is a graduate of the University of Maine, with an Associate Degree in Business Management and is a graduate of Husson University, with a BS Degree in Public Accounting.

Garrett lives in Bangor, ME with his wife Katie and his two daughters, Emma and Abby. He is an avid sports fan. Garrett and Katie are very active in their local Parent-to-Parent group that was developed by parents of children with special needs and the International Rett Syndrome Association.

Garrett can answer questions about Coffee News, Coffee News Printing and business management in general!

Melissa is the go-to girl! She works with new and tenure publishers on a day-to-day basis. She also keeps the Office afloat! She has a strong background in customer relationships and service, as well as management and marketing.

Melissa has a BS in Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration from Thomas College. Melissa worked at a financial institution for 5 years, then spent 10 years as the E-Commerce Manager at a jewelry company before joining Coffee News® in 2015.

Melissa spends all of her time with her son Lucas, two bonus kids, Haley and Dylan, and her three grandbabies. Sightseeing and finding hidden treasures in Maine are typical Sundays. When she can, she loves to travel and has visited Spain, Mexico, Aruba, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and many U.S. states.

She found Coffee News by chance! From portfolios to pearls to paper – who knew!

Melissa loves to chat, shoot her a message anytime!

Leslie Daum followed in her mother’s footsteps by publishing her first Coffee News® edition in Selkirk, MB in May 2004. After going to her first Coffee News® Conference, the excitement of being a Coffee News® publisher took effect immediately. Having nowhere for Jean to see that brown piece of paper when she moved to East Selkirk, she soon enjoyed the Coffee News® in her local restaurants. 15 years later, Leslie now publishes 2 editions in the Interlake Region while working part-time at the Canadian Head Office as Director of Publisher Relations.

Send Leslie any questions you may have!

After selling businesses for almost a decade, Rudy took on the Coffee News Whangarei edition just after the first Covid lockdown in New Zealand. Previously he was involved in the sale of some editions in Auckland as a business broker and always thought that the Coffee News Master Franchise would be a great opportunity if it were ever available to take over.

About 6 months after running an edition a transfer of the rights was negotiated with Helen Fisher and Rudy is now running New Zealand since March 2022.

Rudy has a strong background in door-to-door sales, business sales & business development and he is dedicated to ensuring his franchisees reach the full potential of their publications through hands-on training and find practical solutions to challenges that may come with the territory.