Our Team
Gary Lambert, Founder & CEO
Gary Lambert has a degree in Physics and years of training in IT and Law Enforcement. He founded Bright Land Coffee in 2019 in Philadelphia, just five years after the cancer diagnosis that changed his life. With his law enforcement career screeching to a halt, the coffee business became the start of a new life. With the support of his wife Nadia, and children, Ethan and Ava, they started at local farmer's markets and spent many nights and weekend brewing and bottling cold brew. Today, Gary runs Bright Land Coffee from their Oldsmar facility and is able to have his now teenagers take a more active part in the business.
Gary is a jazz enthusiast, voracious reader, and also enjoys baking bread, although he is still perfecting his sourdough. Gary is also a passionate cancer patient/survivor advocate, speaking on behalf of the American Association for Cancer Research, been featured in Cancer Today, taken part in patient workgroups, support groups, and presentations, and most recently, was featured on local TV in support of Moffitt Cancer Center.
While his cancer journey continues, he prefers to focus on the future of the company, developing new and exciting products, and expanding their clientele. His favorite type of coffee is black, no sugar, no cream, preferably a light roast anerobic coffee from Latin America -- like the Rum Raisin roast that recently won Bright Land Coffee at Bronze Medal at the 2022 Golden Bean North America competition.
It's a lesson to my kids. Life doesn't always go as planned, but some of the greatest disappointments can lead to the greatest opportunities.
Peter Prince, Partner & CFO
Peter joined Bright Land Coffee Co. in early 2021 as Partner and CFO. He is no stranger to entrepreneurship, having previously owned and operated a local pharmacy and currently owns Royal Financial Tax & Financial Services, providing tax strategy and planning for individuals and businesses. He has also had roles in the FL Department of Revenue.
Peter has degrees in Accounting and Finance, as well as an MBA, and is a member of several professional associations. Peter is also an avid cyclist, proud father, and an active member of the Westchase community along with his wife Alison.
One of the most important lessons that I have learned is encompassed in a quote from the Indian philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti:
There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. Your entire life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.
Ethan Lambert, Senior Intern
Ethan has been involved with Bright Land Coffee from the very beginning. A budding scientist, Ethan excels at his agriculture, anatomy and AP human geography courses at his high school. He is a great up-and-coming roaster and has big plans to make the company eco-friendlier.
When he is not at the coffee facility, he is taking part in martial arts (currently Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) with his sister, playing with his dog, Kiba, watching anime, reading, or playing video games. His prefers light roast coffee, plain.
Ava Lambert, Junior Intern
Like her big brother, Ethan, Ava has been a part of Bright Land Coffee Co. from day one. She was instrumental in cultivating sales at our first farmer's markets, skills she no doubt acquired from her years in the Girl Scouts. Ava's discerning palate has also made her one of our most trusted cuppers when new beans arrive. A future pastry chef, she can often be found using our cold brew in her baking recipes.
In her spare time, Ava is testing baking recipes, or doing some sort of creative activity like drawing, painting, doing diamond art, or shaping clay. She also does Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a few times per week with her brother and enjoys taking art, agriculture, and honors classes at her middle school.
Her favorite coffee is plain black cold brew.