Meet the Team

We're a small crew of dedicated espresso machine technicians based in Berkeley, CA. Every person on this team has hands-on experience — we fix machines every single day.

Sam Kanenwisher

Owner & Founder

Sam started Kanen Coffee in 2011 after teaching himself to repair a La Pavoni Europiccola for a family member. A former U.S. Coast Guard Electronics Technician, he holds a Master of Divinity from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He built this business on a simple idea: repair is a form of respect — for the machine, the craft, and the customer.

Julian Moreno

Shop Manager, Lead Technician & Latte Art Educator

Julian's journey into coffee tech started the same way it does for a lot of us — a broken machine and a refusal to throw it away. He opened it up, fixed it himself, and never looked back. After buying a Rancilio Silvia from Kanen Coffee and talking shop with Sam, he joined the team. With 700+ repairs under his belt, Julian specializes in dual boilers, Delonghi, and Jura machines. He also handles customer communication and keeps the shop running.

Khaldoun Allatayfeh

Espresso Machine Technician

Originally from Irbid, Jordan, Khaldoun has been fixing things his whole life — appliances, HVAC systems, coffee machines. EPA Universal Certified, he brings a lifetime of hands-on technical experience to every repair. He's known in the shop for his deep knowledge of Breville machines and his patient, methodical approach to even the most complex diagnostics. 650+ repairs and counting.

Astrid Burnley

Espresso Machine Technician & Latte Art Educator

Astrid came to machine repair through specialty coffee — three years behind the bar before she realized she was more interested in what was happening inside the machine than what was coming out of it. With a Bachelor of Science degree and a methodical, scientific approach to diagnostics, she brings real precision to every repair. She's also a latte art competitor and educator who teaches foundational techniques to new baristas.

Selena Wagner

Customer Service & Admin

Selena has been with Kanen Coffee since June 2023, managing the front-of-house side of our operation — answering phones and emails, coordinating drop-offs, tracking follow-ups, and keeping the workflow organized so the techs can stay focused. She believes a little kindness goes a long way, and she's right.

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