Meet the Hackberry Tea Team
Hackberry Tea is a small tea company with a lot of help. What's missing from this list are countless hours of friends giving advice and support. This business is run by the people below, but it exists because of the selfless contribution of many unnamed friends and family members that keep giving their time to help us grow.
Matt Kellso
Hackberry Tea Owner:
I started this business as a way to subsidize my coffee roasting hobby in 2012. I combined my love of coffee with my background in web design, marketing, and Industrial Engineering to try to make an online coffee roasting business happen. I was born at University of Michigan hospital (bleeding blue), but spent my childhood in South Carolina. When I was about 10, I moved to Tempe, and have lived within a few miles of that home ever since. I love the east valley but hate the heat, which makes the summers a test of patience. I graduated from Arizona State University with an Industrial Engineering degree and spent the first decade of my career at Intel doing anything from process improvement projects to forecasting to RFID consulting. Moving on from there I spent the next 15 years at Spencer's TV & Appliance doing much of the same things. In April of 2020 I finally stepped away to focus on Hackberry Tea full-time. After we learned to manage the rush of online orders that COVID brought, we moved to a larger production facility and focused on opening our coffee shop.The last few years have also given me an opportunity to nurture international relationships in sourcing our coffees. I love the coffee industry, I love the community of local shops, the camaraderie of local micro-communities of a single shop, learning and educating on the industry. But nothing brings me more joy in my work than talking to a farmer about their coffee and how our little business in Chandler is thriving because they’ve dedicated their life to the pit of a coffee cherry. When I’m not at Hackberry Tea I’m probably meeting with someone from our Church (Grace Bible Church in Tempe) where I’m a pastor, reading or vacationing with family which includes exploring coffee shops.
Office & Production Team
You may not see this group at the coffee shop, but they're very much involved in everything you see at Hackberry Tea.
Jonathan Kellso
General Manager / Head Roaster:
Jonathan has been a part of Hackberry Tea for over 10 years. Since creating the logo, he has stepped into the role as head of branding and design for the company and produces all of the photography and packaging design. Along with branding, he manages operations of the coffee bar, training baristas and developing new drinks with our assistant managers. He is also plugged into his church and plays bass on the worship team. In his free time, he loves going out with his wife, Diana to new restaurants. He and Diana also run an online vintage clothing store called Nosy Ghost Vintage and spend the majority of their downtime photographing new pieces, writing descriptions, and sourcing new clothing.
Zoë Maiden
Office Manager / Media Development:
Zoë became a part of the Hackberry Tea team in 2016 where she took on the role of lead packager and office manager. In 2019, after having her first child, she transitioned to working remotely and focuses mainly on product creation and email marketing management. When not working, Zoë enjoys spending quality time with her husband Seth and her two children, Zander (7) and Saylor (4). She loves exploring local restaurants and coffee shops, reading, traveling, and interior design. Did we mention that she is also Matt's younger sister?
Cole Simpson
Barista Manager / Syrup Prep / Production Assistant:
Cole began working at Hackberry Tea in September of 2024. He has always loved coffee and has enjoyed being in an environment where he can further grow his skills and knowledge. Outside of the coffee shop, Cole likes to make music, with his main focus being on singing and guitar. He is currently working on a self produced EP that he hopes to release in the next few months. Beyond that he likes exploring new places, being outside, and catching up with friends.
Sarah Brandon:
Barista Manager / Production Assistant / Social Media:
Sarah began working at Hackberry Tea in May of 2025. She enjoys the community aspect of hospitality and values getting to know customers through everyday conversations. With a background in biological sciences and a love for nature, she brings curiosity and creativity into her work. Outside of Hackberry Tea, Sarah enjoys spending time with friends, staying active, and exploring new places.
Baristas & Shop Managers
Sagebrush Coffee and Hackberry Tea share one team and one coffee shop in Chandler. Our baristas serve Sagebrush coffee alongside many of Hackberry Tea's loose-leaf teas, so the people below help customers enjoy both brands every day.
Janna Knight
Barista / Baking Assistant / Education Specialist:
In Janna's mind, quality coffee and sustainability go hand in hand. Her love of specialty coffee roasting developed at a young age, when her parents got into the coffee industry themselves. Janna has always had a passion for the outdoors, and earned her bachelor’s degree in conservation and environmental biology. She previously worked as an outdoor camp educator, a seasonal grassland bird research technician, and now enjoys learning about Arizona’s biodiversity while developing her skills as a barista! In her free time, she loves birdwatching, playing cello, and getting into crafts or puzzles. Janna is fascinated by every aspect of coffee cultivation, and loves getting to work with a team that highlights the producers behind each amazing cup of coffee.
Noah Kellso
Barista / Shop Projects / Classroom Instructor:
Noah, the second oldest Kellso sibling, is a barista at our coffee bar and the secondary roaster and packager for Saturday shipments. His dedication to Hackberry Tea has been present ever since the company's beginning, and he got started as an official employee as quickly as he could. Noah is currently attending ASU at their sculpture program to get the skills necessary to become a furniture designer. He fills his free time with various hobbies such as playing video games, sewing, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.
Eden Kellso
Barista / In-House Baker:
Eden is Matt’s youngest and only daughter. She is currently finishing her general business degree at Chandler Gilbert and is working toward studying pastries in Paris in 2027. She is the head baker at Hackberry Tea and sometimes works as a barista. In her free time she likes either baking or hanging out with her friends and going to coffee shops and playing board games.
Macey Wolf
Barista:
Macey joined the Hackberry Tea team in April 2026 after her move from Spring Branch, Texas to Arizona. She has always been passionate about coffee and people, and how those things work together to create genuine conversation and relationships. With a degree in hospitality management from Dallas Baptist University, she dreams of opening her own shop back in Texas one day. Outside of Hackberry, Macey enjoys reading, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and taking film photos.
Kaytlynn Kellch
Barista:
Kaytlynn joined Hackberry Tea in January of this year. She loves plants and animals. She’s currently a junior at ASU in the nursing program. Hackberry Tea Shop is her first specialty coffee position as well as her first barista position. In her free time she loves to read, go study at coffee shops, and cook. One of her favorite hobbies is cooking and she loves to try new recipes and foods from other cultures!
Sofia Santos
Barista:
Sofia recently joined the Hackberry Tea team at the end of June. When she is not at Hackberry Tea, she is hanging out with her siblings and friends, watching paranormal TV shows, or going to a concert. Her favorite concert this year was Underscores! She is also a 3rd year pre-law student pursuing a business degree in Public Service and Public Policy. Sofia is super excited to learn more about coffee and to get to know the Hackberry Tea community.