About Us
Our History
My first visit to Ecuador was over 30 years ago, back in 1982, as an exchange student my senior year of High School. I was blessed to be able to go and live an entire year with the Roman-Zambrano family in Portoviejo Ecuador for a one-year Rotary Club study abroad program. I instantly fell in love with my host family and the people of Ecuador.
This love for the country and the people continued through my adult life. I had always hoped that one day I would be able to go back and call Ecuador my home.
My love for coffee, sustainable farming, and the beautiful Ecuadorian countryside led us to the best farm property we could have hoped for and now has us growing the best tasting, full-bodied Arabica coffee that we could find.
Working together with my two host brothers Manuco & Pepe Roman we were able to form the company "Romanza" which now runs Hacienda Salida del Sol.
The development of Hacienda Salida del Sol has been hard work, done by the entire Romanza staff and Neikirk / Roman Families. We sincerely hope you find it worth our efforts.
Please send us an e-mail, drop us a line, or better yet come down and visit us and have a cup of Ecuador's finest coffee on us!
The Hacienda Team.
Meet the Team
Benjamin Neikirk
FOUNDER
Benjamin is responsible for the business direction and oversees the company’s business and land development. He is also the primary officer responsible for all contractual, legal, and financial affairs. He brings 30 + years of operations and business management experience. Prior to founding Hacienda Salida Del Sol, he was Vice president of operations for a global systems integrator. Benjamin actively serves on the board of directors for several companies and works as a business coach and mentor.
Benjamin is the roast master for the roastery located in Waco and develops a variety of specialty blends and single origins that are produced under the Salida del Sol and Trippy Buck product lines.
Addison Neikirk
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Addison handles all US imports and oversees coffee handling from harvest time to arriving in port. From the importing of the coffee to the bag design he takes a hands-on approach to crafting the Hacienda brand. He also maintains the website and handles all advertising and sales. Addison also manages the “Trippy Buck” brand for the Hacienda. Trippy Buck Coffee is the retail line featuring roasted Coffee directly from the Hacienda. Addison brings with him several years of grassroots marketing and management experience. Prior to working at Hacienda with his father, Benjamin, he was part of the core management at a restaurant in San Marcos, TX. Addison has a strong vision for the business and invites anyone to give him a call and chat about coffee.
