Christopher J. McCoy moved to Bellingham in 1996 from rural southwest Colorado, where he was born and raised on a small cattle ranch. McCoy attended Carl Cozier Elementary, Kushan Middle, and Bellingham High School. Even in his youth, Chris sought leadership, and in 1999, he was on the student steering committee for the grand reopening of Bellingham High School. He stayed in Bellingham and graduated from Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University.
Shortly after graduating from Western Washington University in 2010, McCoy became the primary caregiver for his mother, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. His father had passed away from brain cancer in 2008, so he found himself at the head of the household for his family at the age of 24. McCoy had been building a career in green building as a certified sustainable building advisor but decided to start a small business that has grown to be a nationally known brand as Kombucha Town, to have the flexibility to care for his mother and pursue a professional career.
In 2019, McCoy embraced the joys of fatherhood. Known for his resilience and forward-thinking, he tirelessly advocates for the values cherished by Bellingham residents. A fighter and a visionary, McCoy embodies the leadership qualities our city needs to thrive.
Education:
- Attended Carl Cozier Elementary, Kushan Middle school, and Bellingham High School.
- Graduated from Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University with BA in Environmental Studies & Economics.
- Certified sustainable building advisor.
- 2018 SBA Emerging Leaders, Seattle Cohort.
- 2019 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small business owners executive training.
Occupation history:
- Founder and CEO of Kombucha Town & Culture Cafe. (Established in 2011, Culture Cafe established in 2015)
- Located in downtown Bellingham WA.
- Consistently worked with local, state and federal governmental agencies building and operating his business. (Departments: Health, Fire, Police, Planning, Treasury, public works, agriculture, justice, IRS, SEC, TTB, FTC, FDA).
- Spent 10 years as a carpenter and a custom home builder in Bellingham.
- Spent 8 years working in Bars and Restaurants.
Additional Volunteer Work:
- Personally and through his businesses, McCoy has been a generous Donor, Sponsor and volunteer to:
Re-sources, Sustainable Connections, Whatcom Million Trees project, Habitat for humanity, The Bellingham Food Bank, Kulshan Community Land Trust. Big Brothers Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, Max Higbee Center, Opportunity Council, HomesNOW and many more.
- Was the chairman of the communications committee for Kombucha Brewers International, 2013-2018.
