Meet the Darden Alum Who Couldn’t Let First Coffee Go

“To get through Darden, you really have to like coffee,” says Darrell Ian Pacheco “DJ” (MBA ’23).

Pacheco isn’t just referencing the need for caffeine to help power through the challenging coursework at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. A signature of the school remains “First Coffee,” a tradition in which student groups, clubs or others, host coffee, information-sharing and networking sessions in the PepsiCo Forum of Saunders Hall.

Pacheco’s love for coffee came full circle after he acquired Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters upon graduating. With nearly a decade of experience in investment management and a Darden MBA in hand, Pacheco said Shenandoah Joe turned out to be the perfect spot that allows him to blend his various business experiences with a passion for entrepreneurship.

As an immigrant who came to the U.S at age 4, Pacheco learned early on the power of resilience, hard work and creating your own opportunity. After earning an associate’s degree in business with honors at Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, he transferred to Dickinson College, completing a bachelors in political science, with departmental honors, and from there began his career at the investment management firm, Vanguard in Philadelphia.

But it wasn’t until his time at Darden that Pacheco explored the concept of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), and the spark was truly lit. Through various resources at Darden including the ETA Club and Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology, Darden provided opportunities to network with people in the small business ecosystem, serving as a strong foundation for his future.

Randy Seibert, adjunct lecturer at Darden, reflects on his experiences 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 recalls. “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 acquired Shenandoah Joe from previous owner, Dave Fafara, whom he met while at Darden.

“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,” he said. Pacheco sees the acquisition as an opportunity to honor and build upon what Fafara created, while also shaping its future for the next generation.

“This place is Charlottesville’s living room,” he explains. On any given day you could encounter UVA coaches, politicians, business folks, students and – if you’re lucky – even marriage proposals. For Pacheco, the appeal of Shenandoah Joe was not just about serving great coffee but immersing himself with the people around him.

Pacheco said the business will continue to prioritize serving the local community, from supporting non-profits like the Monticello Little League and Special Olympics to providing scholarships for high-achieving, college bound Albemarle High School students.

As for the business side, the same meticulous systems thinking and supply chains he learned about at Darden now help him navigate everything from sourcing beans from East Africa to roasting them with care and precision. Whether he’s unloading 10,000 pounds of beans from around the globe or engaging with loyal customers, Pacheco brings dedication and craftsmanship to every aspect of his work.

Pacheco said Shenandoah Joe is more than a business – it’s a testament to the power of passion, community, and the entrepreneurial spirit modeled at Darden.

“It’s about more than coffee – it’s about creating a space where people come together,” he said.