Van Cafe Team
Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Van Cafe inspires adventure by selling accessible van parts, providing superior customer service, and creating innovative solutions to live life better. Here are the people that make it all happen. If you're looking to join our team, visit our opportunities page.
Mike L.
Owner, Visionary
Hometown: Blairstown, NJHow long in CO: I moved to Colorado in 1996. I was on a nation wide RV roadtrip (before they called it Van Life). I joke that I ran out of money here and was forced to get a job. It isn’t totally true...I had $200 when I arrived in Ft Collins.
With Van Cafe for: My brother and I started Rocky Mountain Westy in 2004. I started self employment in 2000 when I was hustling used parts on eBay. We purchased Van Cafe in 2018 and moved operations to CO. Here is a fun podcast that talks more about the history of it all and some fun stories.
When not working: Definitely love traveling and working on project cars and tinkering on this and that.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: Twin Rivers campground- Check out High Country Bus Festival- it is amazing
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: Wow...there has been so many. My 74 Thing gets summer miles, my 79 Scirocco has a special place in the fleet. I am currently in love with my 78 Subaru powered Westy
Van Cafe Product: I think our stainless exhaust systems is really where our quality and innovation shine.
Greg L.
Co-Owner, Visionary
Hometown: Blairstown, NJHow long in CO:
In 1995 I left my beloved hometown of Blairstown, New Jersey for the beautiful state of Colorado. I spent the better part of the next 5 years bouncing around the country and the Caribbean, until settling into a job as a technician at a Mercedes Benz dealership in Fairfield NJ. IN 2004 I quit my job at Mercedes, moved back to Colorado and started Rocky Mountain Westy with my brother, and the rest is history in the making.
With Van Cafe for: Greg co-founded Rocky Mountain Westy in 2004, which has become Van Cafe.
When not working:
I enjoy skiing in the winter and camping in the summer.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: My favorite place to camp is where I’m camping.
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: The car the got away was my 1991 Audi Coupe Quatrro with a 3b 20V Turbo conversion.
Van Cafe Product: I would have to say the Subaru Vanagon Conversion Kit. I have so many memories of working on that in the garage.
Luke E.
General Manager
Hometown: Sterling, COHow long in CO: My whole life.
With Van Cafe for: Started at Van Cafe in the middle of 2019.
When not working: Breweries
3 Favorites:
Camping Spot: Chambers Lake
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: Skoolie
Van Cafe Product: Switchback Rack System
Weston J.
Brand Manager
Hometown: Cape Coral, FLHow long in CO:
In 2016 I moved my wife and two young children from southwest Florida where I lived most of my life, adventure bound for Fort Collins, CO.
With Van Cafe for: 2025
When not working:
Enjoying time in the mountains hiking, sledding, camping, paddling a SUP and lounging lake-side.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: Zapata Falls near the Great Sand Dunes.
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: 2019 Ram 1500 is our adventure-mobile.
Van Cafe Product: I would have to say the Subaru Vanagon Conversion Kit that changed the game.
Jim Z.
Customer Service Team
Hometown: Westminister, COHow long in CO:
Colorado Native (:
With Van Cafe for:Mid 2025
When not working:
Laying with my cats or adventuring.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: Lost Lake
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: Used to have a 3rd Gen Firebird like Knight Rider.
Van Cafe Product: I would have to say the Subaru Vanagon Conversion Kit that changed the game.
Mike E.
Customer Service Team
Hometown: I have lived in Santa Cruz, CA, for 41 years. Recently we bought a fixer-upper out in the country, and eventually, we will move there.How long in CO:
I have lived in California my entire life, and in fact, I have lived within 30 miles of my birthplace the whole time.
With Van Cafe for: I have worked at Van Cafe for 13.5 years. Before that, I sold parts to Van Cafe from an exporter of Vanagon parts. I have 40 plus years of experience selling Volkswagen parts. If you had told me in 1984 that I would still be selling Vanagon parts, I would have that you were a little bit cuckoo!
When not working:
Either racing sailboats, riding my mountain bike, surfing, or working on our fixer-upper.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: Kirk Creek, Big Sur, CA. It is an excellent spot right on the Pacific Ocean.
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: My 1989 Wolfsburg Weekender, better known as "Blanca." Besides numerous camping and surf trips, She's been to well over 100 bicycle races. Mostly cyclocross. (close 2nd)
Van Cafe Product: I was going to say our bumpers, but I'm going to have to go with our ladder. I think it looks sharp, and I get very excited when I see another van driving down the road with it!
Bryson W.
Fabrication Manager
Hometown: I was born here in Fort Collins, but spent most of my childhood in Littleton CO.How long in CO:
All my life (38yrs)
With Van Cafe for: 11 years!
When not working:
More than likely working on my Jeep Cherokee or Honda CRX track car.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: We like to take our Jeep up Pole Hill road to a secret spot that overlooks the valley of Estes Park.
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: My 91 Honda CRX. It was my first vehicle, and I've since transitioned it into a dedicated track car.
Van Cafe Product: I've been fortunate enough to have helped design and produce many of Van Cafe's manufactured products so it's hard to pick just one. However, I would have to pick our stainless exhaust system for the 4Cyl Subaru conversion as it was what I had helped first develop for the company. To this day, I would consider it to be the best in the market.
Brad K.
Fabrication Specialist
Hometown: Ohiowa, NE.How long in CO:I have been in Colorado for 4 years.
With Van Cafe for: Since December 2022
When not working:
In my free time I like playing guitar and getting out with my RC crawler.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: Snowy Range!
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: 1964 Ford F-350
Van Cafe Product: I really like our Twin Peaks Front & Rear bumpers.
Ryan M.
Fabrication Specialist
Hometown: Fort CollinsHow long in CO:
My whole life - 37 years.
With Van Cafe for: 14 years
When not working:
The mountains
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: I have to pick?!
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: '88 Toyota Pickup
Van Cafe Product: All of them! (Yep, we are letting him get away with that, too.)
Lauren H.
Purchasing Agent
Hometown: I originally hail from the mistake on the lake, aka Cleveland.How long in CO:
I've lived in Colorado about 17 years now. I came to Colorado by way of New York and Texas.
With Van Cafe for: I've been with Van Cafe for four amazing crazy whirlwind months. While still a little green around the ears, I find myself wanting to get a van!
When not working:
When I'm not at work, you'll find me exploring the mountains with my hubby and our dogs. Well, you might not actually see me, but I'm there.
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: A super secret(-ish) location in the Medicine Bow Forest.
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: My favorite vehicle was my 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport. For a compact little car, it was a regular mountain beast!
Van Cafe Product: Being fairly new to Van Cafe, I'm still learning our product range. I really love the idea of our ladder. Now all I need is to get the van that goes with it!
Kat B.
Full Charge Bookkeeper
Hometown: Sand Springs, OK.How long in CO: I moved to Colorado two years ago.
With Van Cafe for: Since April of 2023
When not working:
When not at work I enjoy hiking, cooking, reading, brewery hopping, and watching indy car!
3 Favorites:
Camping spot: Banff National Park.
Favorite vehicle you own/have owned: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Van Cafe Product: Not sure yet!