Tim Gravel is more than a business leader, he’s one of Alaska’s most influential community builders. As owner and CEO of Kaladi Brothers Coffee, he transformed a modest espresso cart into a regional institution with more than a dozen locations, while anchoring the company in a mission that reaches far beyond coffee: to serve as a Catalyst for Community.

Originally from Livermore, California, Gravel first came to Alaska in sixth grade on a fishing trip with his father and grandfather. After high school, he drove north to attend UAA, where he earned a B.B.A. in Accounting in 1990. While at UAA, he ran basketball game stats for Seawolves Athletics and waited tables at Red Robin, where he met Mark Overly, who would later bring him into Kaladi.

After graduation, Gravel worked in public accounting before being asked to review Kaladi’s books. That engagement led to a permanent role with the company, eventually becoming co-owner and CEO. He brought financial discipline to a culture built on generosity, helping to scale the business without compromising its values. Under his leadership, the company has earned honors including the Anchorage Chamber Gold Pan Award for Business Excellence and Made in Alaska’s Manufacturer of the Year.

Gravel was instrumental in developing Kaladi’s core philosophy: to become bigger than just making great coffee, with a company culture that makes an impact externally. He has supported countless causes through this mission, notably spearheading the Dale Tran New Year’s Day of Giving (named after fellow UAA alum and former Kaladi CFO), which has raised over $500,000 for local nonprofits in more than 30 years.

Gravel maintains strong ties to UAA, regularly speaking to business students and championing campus engagement. He served eight years on the UAA Alumni Association Board of Directors, received the UAA Alumni of Achievement Award and has donated hundreds of pounds of coffee and financial support to university events, including Campus Kick-Off and Haunted Halloween Fun Night. Kaladi also created a custom “Seawolf Blend” to honor UAA’s community.

Beyond UAA, Gravel is active in Anchorage schools, volunteering at elementary career days and serving on the School Business Partnership board. His leadership has helped instill a culture of service that influences Kaladi staff long after they leave the company.

Gravel credits his UAA education for providing the skills and relationships that shaped his path — from auditor to entrepreneur. Through his leadership, generosity and enduring commitment to service, Tim Gravel continues to set the standard for what it means to be a true Catalyst for Community.