​​

Francisco Gavina and Leonor Gavina-Valls
Francisco Gaviña & Leonor Gaviña-Valls
Leonor Gaviña-Valls
Vice President, Marketing, F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc.
Cal State LA
BA, Economics (1974)

Francisco Gaviña
Vice President, F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc.
Cal State LA
BS, Engineering (1969)
MS, Civil Engineering (1972)


  • The nation’s largest minority-owned family coffee roasters, F. Gaviña & Sons Inc. has been a leading producer of high-quality coffee for four generations. In 1960, the family emigrated from Cuba, and later established their company in Vernon, California. Today, the company is owned and run by Don Francisco’s four children: Francisco, Pedro, José, and Leonor.
  • Francisco “Paco” M. Gaviña is the oldest son and Vice President of F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc. He is intimately familiar with every step of the coffee process including growing coffee, green processing, and roasting. Leonor Gaviña-Valls is Vice President of Marketing, and is responsible for the company’s brands and major philanthropic endeavors.
  • Four premium coffee and espresso brands are now housed under the Gaviña umbrella: Don Francisco’s, Café La Llave, Gaviña, and José’s. The company’s presence continues across 20 U.S. states and retails in national chain markets such as Ralph’s/Kroger, Sprouts, Costco, and Vons/Safeway, as well as McDonald’s.
  • In 2017, the Gaviña family celebrated its 50th Anniversary by opening its first brick and mortar roastery café in downtown Los Angeles, Don Francisco’s Coffee Casa Cubana, where it features Cuban-style coffee drinks, pastries and bites, and also beer and wine.
  • They achieved 100 percent zero-waste-to-landfill through their Direct Impact™ Initiative, focusing on four key pillars: dedication to its farmers, sustainable sourcing, environmental sustainability, and social stewardship. The company donates to local and national organizations including Komen Race for the Cure, Avon Walk 39, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Enrich LA and Ronald McDonald House Charities.


Notable CSU Alumni in business & professional services

business & professional services
Los Angeles