Board
ACA Announces 2025 Board Election Results
The American Cider Association (ACA) is excited to announce the results of our recent board elections. We welcome new and returning members who will continue to drive our mission to grow a diverse and successful U.S. cider industry.
New Appointments and Re-elections
We are pleased to announce the following individuals who have been elected to serve on the ACA board:
Tom Hart of Humboldt Cider Company in California has been elected as the new Regional Chair for the Pacific Coast.
Scott Spelbring of Henway Hard Cider in Virginia has been named the new Regional Chair for the South.
Christine Walter of Bauman’s Cider in Oregon has been re-elected to the At-Large seat.
Eleanor Léger of Eden Ciders in Vermont has been re-elected as the Regional Chair for the East.
Ben Calvi of Vermont Cider Company has been re-elected to a Large Cidery seat
Executive Board
We are also pleased to announce the executive board members who will lead the ACA:
- Christine Walter of Bauman’s Cider will continue in her role as President
- Ben Calvi of Vermont Cider Company has been chosen to serve as Vice President.
- Dave Takush of 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Oregon will continue in his role as Secretary.
- John Behrens of Farmhaus Cider in Michigan will continue in his role as Treasurer.
Gratitude for Past Service
We extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing board member for the Pacific Coast Sarah Hemly and outgoing board member for the South David Glaize for their dedicated service on the ACA board. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping the future of the cider industry, and we are grateful for their commitment and hard work.
We look forward to a productive year ahead with our newly appointed board members and executive team as we continue to champion the growth and success of the cider industry.
Meet Your 2025 Board of Director Candidates
The American Cider Association was founded 12 years ago by a group of individuals with a clear vision of a nonprofit structure, controlled by its members. In doing so, this ensured that those most impacted by the association’s work would be the same people in decision making roles. Today, the ACA has a Board of Directors, made up of its members, that help to expand its reach and impact. The founding board of directors took great care to protect geographic and business size diversity through the founding bylaws, a choice that still benefits the association today through our current board.
As cidery members of the ACA, this means that your input helps to shape the organization. One of the benefits of your ACA membership is the ability to participate in voting. Every cidery, no matter the size, gets one vote as part of the ACA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in its board, which represents a range of cidery business models, sizes, and regions.
The 2025 ACA Board Elections are rapidly approaching. If you are an active member of the ACA and a bonded active cidery, your principal contact will receive an electronic ballot on Thursday, February 6, 2025 via email at 8:30 AM Central Time. You can vote from your hotel room at CiderCon® or from the cellar back home–all voting is done remotely. The ballot will close at 11:30 AM Central Time on Friday, February 7, 2025.
This year there are 5 open seats on the ACA Board of Directors. They are:
- At-Large Seat
- Large Cidery Seat
- Regional Chair – East
- Regional Chair – Pacific Coast
- Regional Chair – South
Please take the time to learn about the candidates running for the 2025 ACA Board by reading about them below. Candidates are listed by position for which they are running, and then alphabetically if more than one candidate is running for a seat.
At-Large Seat
Christine Walter
Christine grew up on her family’s farm, Bauman Farms, in rural Oregon. Raising apples and pressing juice with her family are some of her earliest memories. She studied biochemistry in college, and started and ran a small retail company for 22 years before discovering and quickly falling in love with cider. It took her a couple years to convince her family that cider was a real thing and that I might be able to make it on the farm if they would only let her use a small corner of a barn to launch Bauman’s Cider. As you can imagine she has since taken over the whole barn, and created a huge following among her family. She is also currently a member of the board of the The Cider Institute of North America and regular guest instructor.
Candidate Statement
I personally straddle the line between making nuanced, apple-honoring traditional ciders and pushing the edge of innovation in dessert apple-centric recipe-driven ciders. With exceptional quality as my guiding light, I seek always to grow the pool of people who hold cider in high regard. The more people who appreciate the art and craft of cider, and the more people who look for it when they choose to drink, the better we can all do as an industry to foster relationships, build diversity and to contribute to the social and financial economy of the communities we live in.
Large Cidery Seat
Ben Calvi
Ben Calvi is the Director of Cider Making for Vermont Hard Cider Co. in Middlebury, Vermont. Previously, he made cider at Champlain Orchards in Shoreham, Vermont, and wines at Esser Vineyards and Quintessa in the Napa Valley, for Burklin-Wolf in Germany, and at the Robert Mondavi Institute in Davis, California. Ben lives on a tiny apple orchard in nearby Cornwall with his wife, Sophie, and two children, Arthur and Delfina. He joined the American Cider Association board of directors in 2016.
Candidate Statement
As a board director for the ACA since 2016, I bring continuity, valuable perspective, and a wealth of experience. I am currently serving as interim Vice President on the executive committee. Over the years, my board service has focused on supporting key initiatives, including the founding of the CCP and DEI committees, and spearheading Legislative efforts. It is crucial for cider makers to continue fostering unity and a shared voice, enabling us to effectively showcase American ciders in an ever-evolving, hyper-competitive beverage landscape. Together, we can ensure the future success and growth of the cider industry.
Regional Chair – East
Eleanor Léger
Eleanor Léger is the Founder of Eden Specialty Ciders of Vermont. Eden was established in 2007, and is a leading producer of ice ciders and heritage ciders. Eleanor has served on the Board of the American Cider Association, as a member of the Vermont Working Landscape Enterprise Board, and was a founder of the Vermont Cider Makers Association. In addition to leading the team at Eden, Eleanor writes about the economics of small cider production at Cidernomics.com
Candidate Statement
Hello from Vermont. It has been a great honor to serve as Eastern Region Chair. I’ve met so many wonderful cider makers of all sizes and types from across our large region. I’ve traveled to Philly CiderWeek and the PA Cider Fest to the Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes, Franklin County Cider Days, Cider Feasts, and Maine Apple Camp. Whenever I’m in conversation at the ACA Board, I’m thinking of all of you, your needs, and how we can work together to make the cider business easier, more visible in the market, and more successful. I’m looking forward to supporting our new CEO and our Board President, and partnering with NY and PA Cider Associations, as we continue to fight for things like bubble-tax relief, harvest dates, and ensuring our continued ability to ship DTC. Don’t ever hesitate to contact me with your questions, concerns and ideas!
Regional Chair – Pacific Coast
Tom Hart
Tom Hart began his cider journey as the first employee at Humboldt Cider Company in 2015. He became a co-owner in late 2016 and has been following his passion for apples ever since. Tom’s cider journey started in the cellar cleaning tanks, pressing apples and pitching yeasts, and has grown to include nearly all aspects of the industry since then. He currently helps manage two orchards, runs Humboldt Cider’s sales and distribution departments and handles the day-to-day issues that come with owning a small business.
Tom has worked with California State Parks and the National Park Service on historic orchard restoration projects, including the restoration of the Tower House orchard after the devastating 2018 Carr Fire. His love of history has led him to become a quasi-expert on Albert Etter and he helps maintain Etter’s 1894 homestead orchard. Tom derives a lot of his industry passion from these areas and hopes to work with the ACA to help highlight cider’s rich history and deep roots in his region and country.
Candidate Statement
I am excited for the opportunity to work with the ACA and represent cider companies large, medium and small for the Pacific Coast region. I believe it is important to take a big tent approach and listen to all the opinions and needs of cideries in our region. It is my goal to help make the ACA more accessible to individual companies and highlight our region’s rich history, contributions and desires at the national level. I know how hard it is to run a small business in our industry, and I will work diligently to assist and advocate for the Pacific Coast region at the national level in any way I can. My door is always open.
Regional Chair – South
Daron Ford
Since 2006, I’ve pursued a passion for fermentation science crafting wine across Napa Valley, Western Australia, and Northern Michigan, as well as brewing beer and cider in my home state of Minnesota. Now living in Williamsburg, VA, with my wife and three boys, I’m focused on bringing modern ciders to Coastal Virginia at Sly Clyde Ciderworks. With a background in life sciences, art, and business, I bring a unique blend of scientific technique and creativity to the cider world.
Candidate Statement
I bring a serious passion for science, creativity, and business efficiency to the ACA. My experience with producers of all sizes gives me insight into our industry needs at every scale. As Southern regional chair, I will advocate for our unique challenges, foster connections among producers, and amplify the voice of our special region. I’m committed to maximizing our resources, contributing scientific expertise, and collaborating on innovative solutions. Dedicated and approachable, I aim to build on our impressive foundation, represent you effectively, and celebrate our shared successes – ideally over a glass of cider.
Scott Spelbring
Scott Spelbring is Director of Winemaking and Cidermaking for Bluemont Vineyard and Henway Hard Cider, located in Northern VA at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With a passion for crafting exceptional beverages and using local resources, Scott’s 15 years of wine and cidermaking combines innovative techniques and traditional methods to create unique wines and ciders that reflect the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Always creating, Scott thrives on “start-ups” and building brands and was involved in the music industry and internet technology prior to wine and cider. He is a Virginia Cider Association board member.
Candidate Statement
As an advocate for craft beverages and a dedicated member of our cider community, I have witnessed firsthand the potential of our region’s cider industry. My vision is to strengthen collaboration, help amplify our voices in national and local conversations, and foster a vibrant culture of cider appreciation. Our industry is shaped by passionate large and small business owners who pour their hearts into their craft and it’s vital that we create a supportive ecosystem to help them succeed through wide ranging initiatives. Whether it’s supporting legislation such as the Bubble Bill Modernization Act, creating marketing initiatives and consumer connections or supporting entry level cider-makers and cideries I want to help drive cider forward! Together, we can grow and foster our industry while preserving its unique heritage.
2025 Board Nominations Now Open
Do you have a passion for growing the cider industry? Are you looking to find a platform for your ideas, where you will be seen and heard? Would you like to work with a group of like-minded industry leaders to create positive change?
Five seats on our Board of Directors are up for grabs in 2025. Seats that will be up for election this year are as follows: 1 Large Cidery Seat, 1 Regional Chair – South, 1 Regional Chair – East, 1 Regional Chair – Pacific Coast, and 1 At-Large Seat. Our annual nomination window is now open, and we want to hear from you!
Elections will take place electronically during CiderCon® 2025 in Chicago, Illinois on February 6-7. All U.S. member cideries are eligible to vote (1 vote per cidery).
Although it is not required, we strongly encourage candidates to have an ACA volunteer history before running for office.
Please see below for more specifics on service and how to apply:
- Positions are open to any active ACA member cidery in the U.S., regardless of size.
- Applications are due by November 14th, 2024.
- To qualify for candidacy, you must be a permanent employee of a bonded cidery, producing cider in the U.S.
- Incumbents may be running for their seats again.
- Terms are three years.
- Applicants will be reviewed when the submission window has closed
- Qualified candidates will receive further instructions on developing their platforms and what board service includes.
Have more questions about board service? Schedule a chat with ACA CEO Michelle McGrath by clicking here.
To submit your nomination by the November 14th deadline fill out the self-nomination form.
Meet Your Board Member: Josie Mielke
Josie Mielke is the co-owner and operations manager at Urban Orchard Cider Company in Asheville, North Carolina. She was elected to the ACA board of directors in January 2024 to an At Large Seat.
Tell us about your cidery/farm/orchard
Urban Orchard Cider Company is family owned and operated by a crew of passionate and fun-loving cider nerds. We source ALL of our apples from North Carolina, and utilize multiple yeast strains to craft a diverse offering of cider flavor and aromatic profiles. Our current collection of recipes contains over 80 innovative and creative ciders, utilizing fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, flowers, and hot peppers. All of our ciders are aged a minimum of six months, to allow for natural clarification, and the maturation of natural flavors and aromas.
How did you get into cider?
Like a lot of people I am gluten intolerant. I had dabbled in cidermaking because I went gluten free in 2006 and could not find a cider that I enjoyed. Unfortunately, at that time there was not a lot of selection and I found that they were all too sweet for me. At the same time I had moved back to Asheville and was having a very hard time finding employment due to the recession and Asheville being a service based city. Our family had discussed starting a business after the recession and with the craft beer boom and the accessibility of apples in our area this seemed like the perfect fit. 11 years later, we’re still here, and sometimes I really can’t remember how it all happened. Small business is a whirlwind.
Why did you decide to run for a position on the board?
The pandemic had a big impact on my view of community. Pre-Covid I felt like an isolationist. I kept my head down and plowed through, focused solely on our business operations. Post-Covid and now 11 years in the industry I have a more holistic view of what we can accomplish together. A thriving cider industry is good for all of us. I would be lying if I also didn’t mention that I was getting a little stagnant in my position. The opportunity to branch out of my daily routine and make an impact invigorates me. As a political science and history double major there really is nothing more exciting than dropping a bill in Congress and trying to get it passed. I can’t wait to witness and be a part of the process for the Bubble Bill.
What are your hopes for the future of the US Cider Industry?
I’d like to see cider valued for the artful product that it is. The entire industry has been working for a long time to overcome stereotypes about our category. The fact is that the US is producing some fantastic cider and I think that the public is finally catching on that cider is a versatile, creative and sophisticated beverage. Not to mention it tastes damn good.
How do you describe your cider region?
The South is full of old generational apple farms. Many of which in our area used to grow for Gerber. Urban Orchard has made it a point to always buy local, and now it’s as important as ever. Asheville is booming and the housing market is hungry for land. Many farms are considering sales to real estate developers and farming is a tough gig. Now that Gerber is gone, cider is stepping in as a value added product for growers. While the majority of our fruit is dessert and eating apples, we think that you can craft fantastic cider from blending the variety of cultivars which provide some lovely acids and great sugar content.
What’s your favorite apple to work with and why?
I don’t really have a favorite apple. While the apple is always the star in Urban Orchard products, I really enjoy experimentation with complementary fruits, herbs, vegetables, hot peppers, etc. That may set me apart from a lot of producers as I am not a traditionalist, but my passion comes from a culinary inquisitiveness and it’s the most fun aspect of the business to me.
What is your favorite cider/food pairing?
Ginger infused cider and sushi (yum). Really any nice cider with spicy Asian food is delicious. Cider and ice cream is also very tasty.
What is your favorite nature/cider pairing?
Cider on the beach baby! A better beverage has never been made for a hot day in the sun.
What would you like our members to know about you that they might not know? –non-cider related!
Traveling is my passion, as well as staying fit by challenging myself at the gym, outdoor activities, dancing and yoga. I have two energetic Airedales and a blind little poodle who keep me on my toes. I recently became a certified scuba diver and went to Norway to swim with Orcas! I also do volunteer work such as working the polls during elections, planning fundraisers for food security, and assisting with care for mistreated animals.
Meet Your 2024 ACA Board of Directors
Last Friday, the American Cider Association (ACA) announced the results of their annual Board of Directors Election at their 2024 industry trade conference, CiderCon®, held this year in Portland, Oregon. There were two At-Large positions up for grabs, with 7 candidates in the running.
Josie Mielke of Urban Orchards Cidery in Asheville, North Carolina and Shannon Edgar of Stormalong Cider in Sherborn, Massachusetts were elected as Directors At-Large. Both new board members bring a shared passion for the land and communities that they are a part of. Their unique perspective of establishing and growing their cider businesses within the last 10 years will meaningfully contribute to the perspective of the ACA Board of Directors and how the ACA can support the cider industry.
New ACA Board Members
Josie Mielke is the Operations Director and founder of Urban Orchard Cider Company in Asheville, North Carolina. She was trained in the art of cider making in the United Kingdom at the Cider and Perry Academy in 2012 and opened Urban Orchard in the fall of 2013. Through Urban Orchard, Josie has championed North Carolina agriculture, by committing to purchase apples from North Carolina. Her cidery has only purchased juice from Hendersonville, North Carolina in the 11 seasons they have produced cider. Josie strongly believes in promoting the local economy, supporting local farmers, and knowing where your food comes from.
Shannon Edgar founded Stormalong Cider in 2014 in the pursuit of making ciders that showcase the unique flavors fermented from cider-friendly apples. Taking inspiration from the hard cider history in his adopted home of Sherborn, MA, the historical nature of some of these apple varieties and their connection to New England history has always been an interest to him. Over the last 9 years, Stormalong has grown into a passionate team of “Cider Geeks” evangelizing cider with a deep appreciation for apples and their craft.
2024 Officers Announced
The ACA Board Officers were also chosen by the incoming board of directors last week. The ACA is excited to announce:
-Christine Walter of Bauman’s Cider in Oregon as Board President
-Sarah Hemly of Hemly Cider in California as Vice President
-Dave Takush of 2 Towns Ciderhouse as Secretary
-John Behrens of Farmhaus Cider in Michigan as Treasurer.
Eleanor Legér, ACA Board President 2021-2024
Eleanor Legér of Eden Cider in Vermont was elected by her fellow directors as Board President in 2021. She is rotating off the executive committee to empower other leaders but will remain on the board in her continued role of Eastern Chair. First elected to the board in 2015, the ACA is incredibly grateful for her long and dedicated service to our mission and our members. She has served the role with honor!
Retiring Directors
Soham Bhatt and Brooke Glover are both retiring from their service as directors this year. The ACA is extremely grateful for their service and the unique perspectives they brought to the board.
Soham Bhatt served on the ACA Board of Directors in an At-Large position from 2021-2024. He started Artifact Cider Project in 2014, with co-founder Jake Mazar, with the desire to create exceptional cider that expresses the Northeast as it is today. With this philosophy and a commitment to helping sustain local orchards, especially in western Massachusetts, they started Artifact as a boot-strapped passion project that crisscrossed the state.
“Soham has been a very engaged and committed board member. He asks good questions and has a mind for strategy. He’s been critical to our education committee, and we’re excited that he will stay involved with our work to grow the Certified Cider Professional program moving forward,” said ACA CEO, Michelle McGrath.
Brooke Glover served on the ACA Board of Directors in an At-Large position from 2018-2024. Brooke is one of the owners of Swilled Dog Hard Cider, a family-owned company based out of West Virginia. Brooke is a Certified Cider Maker through CINA, Level I certified in Spirits through WSET, and a frequent lecturer at WVU. Her passions include dogs, family, learning, adventures, and tater tots.
“Brooke didn’t miss a single board meeting in her 6-year tenure on the board of directors. She has served on several ACA committees and has been a tremendous member of the ACA Executive Committee in her role as ACA Vice President,” McGrath said.
The ACA would like to thank all of the 2024 board candidates for their hard work and dedication not only in this election process but within the industry as a whole. We look forward to continuing to work together to push the envelope forward for cider in America.
2024 ACA Board of Directors Candidates
The American Cider Association was founded 11 years ago by a group of individuals with a clear vision of a nonprofit structure, controlled by its members. In doing so, this ensured that those most impacted by the association’s work would be the same people in decision making roles. Today, the ACA has a Board of Directors, made up of its members, that help to expand its reach and impact. The founding board of directors took great care to protect geographic and business size diversity through the founding bylaws, a choice that still benefits the association today through our current board.
As cidery members of the ACA, this means that your input helps to shape the organization. One of the benefits of your ACA membership is the ability to participate in voting. Every cidery, no matter the size, gets one vote as part of the ACA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in its board, which represents a range of cidery business models, sizes, and regions.
The 2024 ACA Board Elections are rapidly approaching. If you are an active member of the ACA and a bonded active cidery, your principal contact will receive an electronic ballot on Thursday, January 18, 2024 via email at 8:30 AM Pacific Time. You can vote from your hotel room at CiderCon® or from the cellar back home–all voting is done remotely. The ballot will close at 11:30 AM Pacific Time on Friday, January 19, 2024.
This year there are two At-Large seats open on the ACA Board of Directors and 7 candidates in the running to choose from. Please take the time to learn about the candidates running for the 2024 ACA Board by reading about them below. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Brooke Glover and Soham Bhatt are both rotating off the current board after completing their elected terms of service. Both were dedicated and supportive board members who will leave behind big shoes for new directors to fill. We’re incredibly grateful for all they’ve contributed to shaping and growing the ACA. Thank you Brooke and Soham!
Casey Baxter has 20 years of beer/cider sales experience at both the distributor and supplier level. He is the National Key Account Director for the newly formed Blake’s Beverage Company that includes Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and Avid Cider. Casey has been with Blake’s for 3 years and most recently spent time with Founders Brewing & Vermont Hard Cider. He is also a proud member and chair of the data insights committee for the American Cider Association.
Candidate Statement
I have had the pleasure of serving on the ACA Data Insights committee for a couple of years now, and my experience there has shaped my interest in running for the ACA board of directors. What I’ve noticed in my role at Blake’s and on the committee is that the cider industry’s ability to innovate is stifled by a lack of tax parity and uneven regulations. As a board member, I would support a full review of state tax laws and TTB regulations. I want to support the ACA to do more to create change and help grow the industry. I am also excited to continue supporting the ACA’s efforts to be the best source of cider industry data available, by clearly defining Regional/National or Craft Cideries and seeing how each are represented by the ACA, including small cideries not typically found in SKU data. I will use my expertise to support a focus on generating data stories within cider for press coverage. Lastly, I look forward to further engaging with the cider community and ACA members to understand needs outside of my current perspective while making lasting relationships and providing insight through my experience.
Shannon Edgar founded Stormalong Cider in 2014 in the pursuit of making ciders that showcase the unique flavors fermented from cider-friendly apples with high levels of acid, tannins, and sugar. The historical nature of some of these apple varieties and their connection to New England history has always been a focus and interest. Stormalong was born in a barn in the town of Sherborn, MA, which was once home to the largest refined cider mill in the world in the late 1800’s. Prior to starting Stormalong, as an avid musician, Shannon spent 20 years working in various roles throughout the music industry for both major and independent record labels as well as in artist development. Shannon currently resides in Sherborn, MA on a small farm with his wife, 2 children, and apple trees close by.
Candidate Statement
I have been fortunate to follow my passions in my professional life starting in music and now spending the last decade in cider. In my world, passion drives everything and provides that extra level of resolve and determination needed to move forward in the face of adversity. Keeping that spark alive is key to building and growing cider and our community.
I’ve been told “no” a lot, and have dealt with the criticism, discouragement, and frustration that comes along with the territory in hyper competitive industries like music and beverage. Learning to deal with setbacks and challenges is a skill set I have honed well.
Cider to me can be captivating, inspiring, and can help give your soul the fuel and support it needs. It can also bring frustration and disillusionment. I ask myself on a regular basis “why am I doing this?” But I always find the inspiration to forge ahead from witnessing the pleasures of others tasting our ciders, or the fulfillment of a win in the industry. On top of that, the personal joy and satisfaction of taking something grown from the earth and transforming it into something beautiful is a reward in and of itself. Commercial success is an added bonus.
For my part in the ACA, I would help those that need inspiration and those that need help getting back up after being knocked down. I would lend my knowledge and resources to help all members on their journey in cider. The cider community is unique in its’ underdog status, diverse mix of people and cultures, and the challenges it faces. I would like to continue educating and campaigning for cider and provide a passionate voice of advocacy and support.
Meet Jeremy “Skywolf” Fleming, a California native whose professional journey mirrors the diverse landscapes that surround him in his home state. He is currently the Head Cidermaker at SLO Cider Co, in San Luis Obispo, California, a company he and 2 partners established in 2020. Beyond the cidery, Jeremy serves as a Member-At-Large on the Central Coast Cider Association board of directors where he focuses on sponsorship outreach and media coordination. Jeremy regularly speaks at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to graduate and undergraduate students regarding fermentation science and the nuances of manufacturing hard cider on a large scale. In addition, on a yearly basis he mentors several interns at his cider facility, designing senior projects for their graduation requirements, and offering them much needed hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
In years past, Jeremy began his professional beverage journey as co-founder and Head Brewer of a small craft brewery in San Luis Obispo. While immersed in the craft beer scene, Jeremy had the honor of contributing as the acting Treasurer on the board of directors for the Central Coast Brewers Guild. During this period, he played a pivotal role in expanding the guild’s reach across three counties, achieved through two successive bylaw updates spanning his four-year tenure. This era of growth significantly boosted the guild’s revenue by over 2,000% and helped foster collaboration within the beer community as well as enhance the sense of collective purpose among guild members. His experience in construction, engineering, and nuclear power systems hasn’t been the only thing that has contributed to his success in the craft beverage industry. He would point out that his experience in open-ocean outrigger racing and professional baking are just as important to his current career as a craft beverage specialist. Outside of his professional pursuits, you’ll find Jeremy immersed in fantasy novels, shredding on his snowboard, or finding peace paddling on the open ocean.
Candidate Statement
Over the past few years, I have grown to believe that the cider industry in the US is one of the most equitable and inclusive groups that I have ever known. After attending multiple CiderCon® events, and becoming a member of our local cider association, I’ve come to appreciate the diverse tapestry of voices that enrich this industry. I’m proud to be part of this industry and promise to always hold a welcoming space to contribute, collaborate, and thrive. As a Member-At-Large on the ACA Board, my goals would be twofold. My first goal would be to promote an industry wide strategy for Cider to be universally represented as its own unique category, not just another alternative beverage. Moving cider offerings from the bottom of the menu to its own dedicated section will increase confidence in the cider category, drive greater cider sales, and assist the cider industry’s growth. As a second goal, I plan to advocate for fair tax legislation at the state and federal levels. My overall goal would be encouraging new legislation to amend the CBMA, which would allow the addition of other fruits and flavorings to carbonated hard cider without triggering the Artificially Carbonated Wine tax.
Josie Mielke is the Operations Director and founder of Urban Orchard Cider Company in Asheville, NC. She was trained in the art of cider making in the United Kingdom at the Cider and Perry Academy in 2012 and opened Urban Orchard in the fall of 2013. Through Urban Orchard, Joise has championed NC agricultural, by committing to purchase apples from North Carolina. Her cidery has only purchased juice from Hendersonville, NC in the 11 seasons they have produced cider. Josie strongly believes in promoting the local economy, supporting NC farmers, and knowing where your food comes from. Josie has served on the Marketing Committee for the American Cider Association, is the Treasurer for the North Carolina Cider Association, mentors’ interns via AB Tech’s Brewing, Fermentation, and Distillation Program, and planned and executed Urban Orchard Cider Company from the ground up. When she is not working at Urban Orchard, you can find her either with her 3 dogs, at the gym, enjoying nature, dancing, volunteering for the community or traveling around the world.
Candidate Statement
Small business can be so difficult that it is often hard to think of the whole when you are fighting so hard for yourself; but the trials of post-pandemic operation have shown me that even a little bit of fellowship and sometimes commiseration can boost morale and be motivating for change. I believe that by having more routine and personalized interaction with Regional and State Cider Associations that the American Cider Association will be able to motivate more grassroots participation and increase the membership. It is imperative to our industry to look out for each other, to protect the value of cider in an ever-changing beverage landscape, and to have a cooperative Association that has the resources and backing to advocate for us at a federal level. Whether that’s lobbying for tax rates that fit the product, fairness in labeling, or a cohesive construct for consumer education and marketing, the ability to be successful starts with membership. I look forward to focusing on meeting Cider Makers from across the nation, collaborating to move the cider industry forward, and working with other like-minded individuals to identify what obstacles we need to overcome so that we all have the opportunity to be successful.
Jeff Parrish grew up in Eugene, Oregon and attended the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls earning a degree in Laser Optical Engineering. The idea of starting a cider company wasn’t in his wildest dreams back then. His cider adventure started a few years later when he discovered Woodchuck Cider in 1995 at a Trader Joe’s in the Bay Area while buying alcohol for his brother’s bachelor party. Apples had always been his favorite fruit, and he absolutely loved fresh juice, but the concept of apples to cider was unheard of to him until then. His mind was blown that night, both figuratively and literally! The next chapter in Jeff’s cider story was in 2003 when on a trip to Victoria, BC, he discovered Merridale Cider. He had purchased a keg or two of Strongbow by then as that was the driest cider he could find locally at the time, but his mind got blown again when he was introduced to real craft cider made with English cider apples. A trip to Merridale became an annual pilgrimage to fill his car with coolers and bring back as much as he could carry.
Jeff’s cidermaking adventure started in 2007 when he discovered he could buy fresh pressed bittersweet juice from a local farm each fall. A few years later he began seeing the pioneers in NW craft cider at a local apple festival and the light bulb came on that maybe this passion could be turned into a living. A few years after that in 2012, burned out with our corporate sales jobs, and with all caution being thrown to the wind, his wife Lynda and he decided to start the Portland Cider Company. Now 11 years in, they love what they do, they love the cider community they are part of, and they take great joy in having created a workplace full of passionate cider lovers that they consider family.
Candidate Statement
As a member of the ACA since nearly its inception, I have enjoyed watching it grow from the small collection of passionate cidermakers to the entity today that speaks for over 800. Like the cidermakers it represents, the organization has learned as we’ve gone along and is better today than we were yesterday. I have been a member of the Legislative Committee for the past 4 years. That experience has shown me just how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go to mold state and federal regulation to eliminate the barriers to making and marketing our cider. Should I be elected to the board, my focus will be on governmental engagement seeking change to the laws and regulations that stand in our way. Craft beer enjoys the freedom of innovation that allows them to basically put anything they want in their beer, in any size container they want, and at any ABV, with a single tax rate and little to no restrictions on how they market it. Cider should enjoy those same freedoms. I will do everything I can to help us get there.
Colin Schilling is the CEO and Co-Founder of Schilling Cider, one of the nation’s largest independent fresh pressed based cideries. In addition to cider, Colin has a passion for food and beverage broadly and has created and consulted on brands in the non-alcoholic, coffee, energy, and cannabis spaces. He has an MBA focused in entrepreneurship and business sustainability and worked in tech consulting prior to founding the cider company. In addition to the wholesale business, Schilling Cider operates two retail locations in Seattle and Portland which are the largest cider taprooms in the world by draft cider offerings! Colin strongly believes business is a force for good and change and has integrated numerous sustainable practices into the core business. He is also an industry thought leader on people-first company culture and works to deliver a best-in-class employment experience for every employee.
Candidate Statement
Hello Cider Friends! The cider industry is at a pivotal moment with shifting consumer preferences and demographics. While these shifts present challenges I see big opportunities and feel cider has never been in a better position to grow rapidly! I have long been an advocate for a collaborative all boats rise mentality for cider, and I want to extend this work through a board seat with the ACA. Specifically, our industry and our trade groups need to further strengthen our collaborative nature to present a united front in a landscape of distributor consolidation and changing consumer preferences. We need to work hard to gain share of mind with wholesalers and retailers as a collective and educate the next group of LDA consumers that cider is the BEST beyond beer option with amazing historical and agricultural stories. Additionally, I see the ACA as the strongest trade organization to represent cider’s interests in DC and will work to advance legal changes to continue to allow our industry to thrive. I have worked in the past to showcase and support cider of all styles and sizes through our two Cider Houses that carry more guest offerings than our own, I worked successfully to get cider the opportunity to pour at the nation’s largest craft beer festival, I helped build an annual selling occasion for cider through National Cider Month, and I have passed 3 cider focused laws in my home state. My goal is to further extend this work while serving on the board of the ACA! Cheers! PS – I would also love to talk about people first company cultures and environmental sustainability – but I am already over on my word count…
Brian Wing is Co-Owner and Head Cidermaker of Green Bench Mead & Cider of Saint Petersburg, FL. Opened in 2015, Green Bench seeks to showcase amazing craft cider to drinkers in the Sunshine State. Brian is an ACA Certified Pommelier™ and holds a position as instructor for University of South Florida’s Brewing Arts program where he teaches courses on production to aspiring professional cider and mead makers. Previously, Brian served 6 years on the Board of Directors for the American Mead Makers Association; four years as Treasurer and two as President. Brian holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and lives in Seminole with his wife and 6 month-old daughter.
Candidate Statement
We picked an unlikely spot to make cider when we started Green Bench in St Pete…but we were passionate about bringing excellent cider to Florida and nearly 10 years later, we are still committed to that goal. If elected to the board, I would like to see further development of our regional chapters; helping to create new events and workshops, focusing our marketing strategy, and creating a stronger sense of camaraderie amongst our members. For many of us, CiderCon® is the only time we are gathered in a room together and I’d like to see that change. We’re seeing an explosion of interest in cider here in the South, and strong regional partnerships will help ensure the cider produced here is of the quality our industry demands and will allow members to benefit from the help available all around them. I’d also continue to push for legislative reform on taxation to lower the barriers to entry for new cidermakers (and the barriers to profitability for existing cidermakers). I have years of experience sitting on the Board of other non-profits in the alcohol industry to help with that. Above all that, my role on the Board is to serve the needs of the members. I am very excited to meet with you in Portland so please come say “Hi”. We can share some cider (and maybe a few stories about the insanity that is running a small business over the past few years) and I can learn how my service can help you.
Now Accepting Nominations for ACA Board of Directors
Do you have a passion for growing the cider industry? Are you looking to find a platform for your ideas, where you will be seen and heard? Would you like to work with a group of like-minded industry leaders to create positive change?
If you answered “Yes” to these questions, YOU ARE IN LUCK! The ACA is looking to fill two At Large seats on our Board of Directors. Our annual nomination window is now open, and we want to hear from YOU! Elections will take place electronically during CiderCon® 2024 in Portland, Oregon in January. All U.S. member cideries are eligible to vote (1 vote per cidery).
Although it is not required, we strongly encourage candidates to have an ACA volunteer history before running for office.
Please see below for more specifics on service and how to apply:
- Positions are open to any active ACA member cidery in the U.S., regardless of size.
- Applications are due by December 8, 2023.
- To qualify for candidacy, you must be a permanent employee of a bonded cidery, producing cider in the U.S.
- Incumbents may be running for their seats again.
- Terms are three years.
- Applicants will be reviewed when the submission window has closed
- Qualified candidates will receive further instructions on developing their platforms and what board service includes.
Have more questions about board service? Schedule a chat with ACA CEO Michelle McGrath by clicking here.
To submit your nomination by the December 8 deadline fill out the self-nomination form.
Declaration of Appreciation for Founding Members
Meet Your 2023 Board of Directors
The American Cider Association is pleased to announce the results of this year’s board elections. Congratulations to new board members Sarah Hemly and Breanne Heuss, and welcome back returning board members Dave Takush, Philippe Bishop, Marcus Robert, Talia Haykin, and John Behrens.
The board also re-elected Eleanor Leger as Board President, Brooke Glover as Board Vice President, Dave Takush as Board Secretary, and John Behrens as Board Treasurer.
Visit our About Us page to learn more about all your American Cider Association board of directors.
2023 ACA Board Candidates
The 2023 ACA Board Elections are around the corner. If you have an active and current membership with the ACA and you are a bonded active cidery, we will email the principal contact as they are designated on your account with an electronic ballot on Thursday, February 2, 2023. Please read below to meet the 2023 candidates for the ACA Board.
Midwest Chair:
Candidate Statement: My goal and the number one priority for the ACA is to help cideries sell more cider. This needs to be accomplished using a variety of strategies. These include providing educational opportunities to continuously improve the overall quality of cider in the marketplace and encouraging new faces to join the industry, promoting the diversity of cider and cider styles so consumers realize there is a cider for everyone, engaging with media to promote what makes cider unique and working with elected officials and agencies to create and promote common sense legislation that is fair and reasonable.
I am proud of the work of everyone on the current board and I look forward to continuing that work. I am also proud of my work as Treasurer to put the ACA back on a path of financial sustainability, creating our first reserve fund to help us better weather future economic downturns and approach those situations from a position of offense. My goal is for that to continue to ensure the long term viability of the organization.
About John: John Behrens is the Founder and President of Farmhaus Cider Company located in Hudsonville, Michigan. This company was founded in 2015 and has gone on to win many national and international accolades and awards. John began his first term as President of the Michigan Cider Association in 2018. Previously, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant for over 10 years at BDO USA and Steelcase. John holds an MBA from Grand Valley State University, in addition to degrees in Accounting and Finance.
Mountain West Chair:
Candidate Statement: Serving on the ACA board since 2020 has taught me so much about the broader cider industry and cider legislation. I have enjoyed learning how impactful the work that the ACA has done is on cideries of all sizes. I also enjoy being a conduit for the Mountain West Region – both sharing the work the ACA does with member cideries and communicating the unique needs of Mountain West cideries to the ACA. I see such a huge value in coming together as a group and advocating for what we need and want. And that generally starts with the apples. From recognition of different varietals and their unique flavor profiles, to terroir and its impact on cider, to harvest dates and transparency of what we’ve put in the bottle and where it came from. Teaching consumers the value of learning more about their regional apples and cidermakers, is a passion of mine. I can’t wait to keep working with the ACA to promote cider making, cider drinking, and apple literacy.
About Talia: In 2017 Talia, along with her husband Daniel, founded Haykin Family Cider in Colorado. Their cider journey began in 2013 as hobbyists in their living room. As they learned more about the rich history of apples and hard cider in the United States their cider became strongly focused on single varietals and family farms with whom they have personal relationships. In addition to her work with their cidery, which encompasses all business areas, Talia is a Denver-based writer and social media strategist. She formerly was the CMO of large non-profits and worked as a freelancer, prior to managing the cidery (and family) full-time. Talia lives in Denver with Daniel, their three children (who fight over who gets to ‘run the cider house’ one day), and their fluffy pup Soba Schnoodle.
Northwest Chair:
Candidate Statement: The American Cider Association’s mission is to provide valuable information, services, and resources to its members as well as advocate on their behalf. The organizations work has helped the cider industry grow by guiding legislation to reduce taxes and streamline governmental processes, providing vital industry statistics to our members and industry partners, and taking the lead as a voice in all corners of our market. During my time on the Board of Directors I have served on the legislative, membership, and finance committees, as well as serving as Treasurer on the Executive Committee. During my time as treasurer, I helped lead the organization through the toughest financial situation we have ever faced. Now, seemingly on the other side, I’m ready to help keep building the organization to better serve our members and the cider industry.
About Marcus: Marcus grew up on a family orchard, which he still owns and operates in the Yakima Valley. He owns and operates a winery with his wife Amy and has been involved in the beverage business for 20+ years. Marcus is the Cider Maker, President, and Co-owner of Tieton Cider Works where he has helped grow the company for the past 12 years.
Pacific Coast Chair:
Candidate Statement:
My name is Sarah Hemly and I’m President of Hemly Cider in Courtland California (An enormous town of over 140 people just south of Sacramento). In 2015 I co-founded Hemly Cider with an intent to showcase the fruit coming out of our families sixth generation pear and apple orchards. Our passion has been a focus on Perry, and I’d love the opportunity to bring another “pearspective” to the board.
My primary interest in joining the board as the Pacific Coast representative stems from a desire to strengthen the relationships and opportunities between cider and commercial agriculture. The past few decades of exposure to the family business of agriculture has offered me the amazing opportunity to learn about and work with some amazing farmers and diverse crops in our state. I’ve had the privilege to be able to travel and meet farmers through the IFTA (International Fruit Tree Association) and take some side trips to visit cider makers both domestically and globally. From San Diego, down to Tasmania, Germany, Spain, and Tennessee, I’ve seen the importance of growing the cider industry’s connection to commercial agriculture as well as the opportunity cider offers in return.
In California, over the past few years, we’ve seen pear and apple crops become the most expensive crops grown in the state. Coupled with canneries leaving, increases in costs of labor, land, water and added regulations, margins have shrunk while costs continue to rise. This in turn has affected costs of and access to juice for the cider industry. I think we all see potential in the cider industry as a “home” for high-quality culled fruit and seconds as well as an opportunity to convert dessert variety blocks to cider-specific varieties with the potential of reduced costs and increased margins to both farmers and the cider industry as a whole. I look forward to any opportunity to contribute to your organization and would be honored to be the ears of the board for the cideries in the Pacific Coast Region, so we can continue supporting the region appropriately.
About Sarah: In 2015 Sarah launched Hemly Cider with Co-Founder Chris Thomson. With help from her Tasmanian Business partner, Sarah built and grew Hemly Cider into an award-winning cider company that showcases the fruit grown by the family’s sixth generation pear and apple orchards. As the company has grown, the focus has shifted to include fruit from multiple California crops. Previous to Cider, Sarah earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of California Berkeley. After spending 8 years in architecture and project management, she left the field and now serves full time as President of Hemly Cider as well as on the board of Greene and Hemly, the family orchard and packing company.
At Large Cidery Seat
Candidate Statement: I believe that the American Cider Association (ACA) is very good operating as a megaphone for the U.S. cider industry. This does not happen with out good leadership and a diverse board of volunteers willing to lend their time, discuss issues, share stories and help steer the industry to a place where we can all succeed. My voice comes from the perspective of a very small family run cidery, making under 5,000 gallons a year, growing traditional cider fruit in a maritime climate and trying to sell primarily large format bottles of harvest driven cider in a market that is heavily influenced by the beer world. Not the easiest thing to do, but being able to share this voice with the board members and help steer our decision making for producers like us is why I do it.
I wanted to take a more in active role in shaping the cider industry and was elected to the ACA board in 2020, previously serving on the board of the Northwest Cider Association. I have worked on multiple committees in the past 3 years including the Cider Market Data, Cider Marketing and Lexicon/ CCP as well as co-organizing regional cider maker industry socials the last one with well over 100 cider professionals from 3 states. My main goal is to help educate distributors, trade professionals, and consumers of the intricacies of cider. Not all cider is the same and cannot be presented in the same way. I bring experience from the perspective of owning a small company, spending most of my time on the sales side and having worked for a small craft distributor where I saw the frustration and challenges from both the sales rep and producer perspective. With proper tools, training and education, we can increase cider appreciation helping individual producers sell more cider and the cider industry as a whole. I look forward to continue working toward this goal collectively with Michelle, my fellow board members and everyone who has volunteered their time to committees.
About Philippe: I am a co-owner of Alpenfire Cider in Port Townsend, WA where I was raised. Some of my earliest memories are playing under ancient apple trees, that smell will be with me forever. After bouncing through many different jobs including wildland firefighter, commercial photographer, house salvage and deconstruction, to running the operations for a craft beverage distributor I fell in love with cider, following my folks foot steps. I primarily handle the sales and education side of things, but with any small company I wear many hats. Whether it is pruning or picking apples in our small cider orchard to washing tanks to blending cider in the production room that’s my life now. I live in Seattle, WA with my wife and kids Sierra and Cortland, enjoying a fine beverage or two with friends or hiking deep in the woods when I can find the time.
At Large Cidery Seat
I am so darn excited to be running for the member at large ACA board position. As a board member I intend to help promote positivity and unity within the cider community. I will focus my efforts on encouraging legislative initiatives that will bring positive change for all industry members.
About Dave: Dave Takush is the Head Cidermaker and co-owner of 2 Towns Ciderhouse. Dave earned a Master’s Degree in fermentation science at Oregon State University and has almost over a decade of experience in the craft beer, wine and cider industries. His passion for fermentation led him to join two childhood friends in starting 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis, Oregon. Now one of the largest craft cider producers in the nation, 2 Towns has over 100 employees and is dedicated to producing quality craft cider from 100% fresh-pressed Pacific NW apples. Dave is also a board member of the Cider Institute of North America.
Large Cidery Seat:
Candidate Statement: While on the ACA board, I want to create more brand awareness of the cider industry; help create guidelines for consumer-facing messages across the category and share the benefits cideries bring to the environmental communities around them. It’s important for the cider industry to become a key player in the beverage category.
I’d love to create more structure regarding how cideries promote fruit-based ciders, the definition of fresh-pressed, and how we talk about additional wellness benefits with consumers. As more consumers today seek “better for you” alternatives it’s important for us as an industry to set the standards of what consumers can expect when they purchase cider. I believe my expertise in brand marketing and leveraging emerging categories will help the ACA extend its influence with key government agencies, companies, and distributors across the US. All the while we continue to evolve as a major industry player within the beverage category.
About Breanne:
Breanne Heuss is a brand marketing leader with a reputation for identifying emerging consumer trends and market opportunities, launching first-to-market products, and establishing early market dominance across multiple beverage categories. With more than a decade of branding experience in the beverage industry, she has worked on everything from established national wine brands including Sutter Home Family Vineyards and FRE Alcohol-Removed Wines to developing new brands within the low/no alcohol space. Breanne currently serves as the Marketing Director for Golden State Cider and Seismic Brewing Company overseeing the marketing department driving new consumer acquisition, new brand development, and growth within direct-to-consumer channels.
Born and raised in California, she is happy to combine her love for supporting local agriculture with brands that expand consumer occasions and experiences. Breanne is enthusiastic about cider-making and looks to bring more Millennial and of-age Gen Z consumers into the cider category. She is excited to make this wonderful beverage a staple in every household.