Michael Haft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Haft (born November 3, 1986) is an American businessman, veteran and venture capitalist, known as the CEO and founder of Compass Coffee.[1][2] He was deployed as United States Marine Corps Infantry Officer in Afghanistan.[3]
Michael Haft | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 3, 1986 |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Service years | 2009-2013 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | 1st Battalion 9th Marines, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company |
| Conflicts | |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Spouse | Sofia Rose Haft |
| Relations |
|
| Other work | Compass Coffee (founder) |
Early life and education
Haft was born on November 3, 1986, in Washington DC to businessman Robert Haft and Mary Haft.[4] He attended the Maret School in Washington DC.[5] Later, he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a focus on Business and Entrepreneurship from Washington University in St. Louis.[6][7]
Career
Military service
In 2009, after his junior year at Washington University in St. Louis, Haft attended the Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps) and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduating college the following year.[8]
Haft was trained as an infantry officer and was eventually assigned as a weapons platoon commander to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.[9] Haft led his platoon in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom to support the War on Terror embedded with the Afghan National Police in the Helmand Province during 2011.[10][11]
Compass Coffee
After his military service, Haft returned to Washington DC where he founded Compass Coffee in 2013.[12][13] During the COVID-19 pandemic, he oversaw the construction of a 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art roastery in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington, D.C., with a capacity to produce 10 million pounds of coffee annually.[1][2] The company received approximately $3.1 million in two Paycheck Protection Program loans to maintain operations during the pandemic.[2]
Made in DC
Haft designed the Made in DC logo and has testified before the Council of the District of Columbia on manufacturing and business issues.[14][15]
Publications
Personal life
Michael has been married to Sofia Haft, who is the director of communications at Anduril Industries and a public affairs officer in the US Navy Reserve.[19][20][21] Michael received DC Chamber of Commerce's Community Impact Award in 2017.[22]