From study sessions to networking, java plays a big role in the life of students and faculty in the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and graduate Darrell Ian Pacheco is making sure no one runs dry.
“To get through Darden, you really have to like coffee,” said Pacheco, who earned his MBA from the Darden School in 2023.
Pacheco isn’t just talking about a dose of caffeine to help power through the challenging coursework. A signature of the school remains First Coffee, a tradition in which student groups, clubs or others host early morning coffee, information-sharing and networking sessions in the PepsiCo Forum of Saunders Hall.
From the roaster to the cup, Pacheco relies on his decade of experience in investment management and his Darden School degree to keep a local tradition brewing. (Photos by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Pacheco’s love of coffee came full circle when he acquired Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters after graduating. With nearly a decade of experience in investment management and his Darden School degree in hand, Pacheco said Shenandoah Joe turned out to be the perfect spot for him to blend his business experiences with a passion for entrepreneurship.
As an immigrant who came to the U.S. at 4 years old, Pacheco learned early the power of resilience, hard work and creating your own opportunities. After earning an associate’s degree with honors in business at Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, he transferred to Dickinson College, completing a bachelor’s degree in political science with departmental honors. From there he began his career at Vanguard, an investment management firm in Philadelphia.
During his time at the Darden School, Pacheco explored the concept of entrepreneurship through acquisition, and a spark was lit. Through various Darden School resources, including the ETA Club and Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology, Pacheco took advantage of opportunities to network with people in the small business world, creating a strong foundation for his future.
Pacheco says he sees owning Shenandoah Joe as an opportunity to honor and build upon on the achievement of the company’s former owner while shaping its future for the next generation. (Photo by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)
Randy Seibert, adjunct lecturer at the Darden School, remembers mentoring Pacheco, a student whose curiosity lit up the classroom and whose ambition quickly propelled him into the world of business.
“Darrell was always curious and driven in the classroom,” Seibert recalled. “It’s a gift for a teacher to witness a student not only discover, but then apply the subject matter. I was privileged to watch Darrell’s inspiration in entrepreneurship take hold by becoming a business owner so quickly.”
Pacheco did that by acquiring a favorite local coffee roaster and coffee shop, Shenandoah Joe, from previous owner, founder and former dive coach for UVA swimming David Fafara, whom he met while at the Darden School.
“I think there is something pretty incredible about being able to acquire a business that is essentially someone’s legacy and then stewarding that forward,” Pacheco said.
He sees the acquisition as an opportunity to honor and build upon what Fafara created, while also shaping its future for the next generation. He said that, on any given day, UVA coaches, politicians, business folks and students can be found at the shop. There have even been marriage proposals proffered and accepted.
“This place is Charlottesville’s living room,” he said.
For Pacheco, the appeal of Shenandoah Joe was not just serving great coffee, but being with the people around him. He said the business will continue to serve the local community, from supporting nonprofits like the Monticello Little League and Special Olympics to providing scholarships for high-achieving, college-bound Albemarle High School students.
