Wes Hunter is the cidermaker and co-founder of 1818 Farm & Cidery in the Ottawa Valley, where he crafts ciders that reflect the region’s diverse soils and cool northern climate. With a background in the wine industry and as a sommelier in the Okanagan Valley, Wes brings a deep understanding of balance, texture, and terroir to his fermentation work. His approach bridges wine influenced techniques and inspiration from their 2.5 acre organic farm. Wes has specialized in working with wild and cultivated apple varieties to express place with honesty and restraint. At 1818, he continues to shape a distinctly northern cider identity grounded in craft, community, and land.

Kyle Sherrer is a seasoned cider entrepreneur and the founder of Graft Cider and Hudson North Cider Co., two innovative brands rooted in New York’s Hudson Valley. He began his cider journey in 2011 by co-founding Millstone Cellars in Maryland with his father, later relocating to New York to launch Graft in 2016, known for its wild yeast-fermented, dry ciders. In 2020, Kyle expanded his vision with Hudson North Cider Co., a cider on the dry side of sweet that now leads New York’s Imperial Cider Market and champions trail conservation through initiatives like Taps for Trails. His approach blends old-world techniques with modern creativity, positioning his brands at the forefront of flavor innovation and redefining what cider can be.

Alan Reed leads the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network, an industry-driven organization that brings together some of the biggest names in food and beverage—including PepsiCo, Mondelez, McDonald’s, Kraft Heinz, and Conagra—alongside fast-growing innovators shaping what’s next. He works directly with the executives and decision makers who influence what consumers eat and drink every day. Under his leadership, the Network has become a hub where industry leaders come together to solve challenges, anticipate consumer shifts, and build stronger businesses while strengthening local communities. Alan’s perspective is clear: brands of every size thrive when they stay relevant, stay connected, and keep consumers at the center. For cider makers navigating an intensely competitive marketplace, Alan brings a compelling “reason to believe”: that collaboration, innovation, and smart strategy are the keys to unlocking growth and long-term success.

From humble beginnings designing tap handles during the early days of craft beer’s emergence, Oceania Eagan (aka “Oce”) quickly became known in the industry for her ability to build brands through her artistic vision and functional execution. With a unique mix of business acumen and creative problem solving at her core, Oce founded Blindtiger Design, embodying her passion for contributing to the dynamic industry to support brands that thrive. Bringing an unmatched depth of knowledge from her 20+ years immersed in the beverage industry, she has built and grown successful brands that connect with today’s consumer by focusing on the uniqueness of each brand to elevate, define and launch products across on- and off-premise channels.

Gidon Coll is the Founder and President of Original Sin Cider. Established in New York in 1996, Original Sin is among the early modern American cider companies. Today, Original Sin Cider is distributed in 27 states across the U.S. and exported to Japan. In 2012, Mr. Coll launched the Hudson Valley Apple Project on his family’s former dairy farm in Ancram, New York. This distinctive two-acre orchard is home to more than 160 apple varieties—including heirloom, cider, and contemporary cultivars. Its mission is to celebrate and promote the rich history and extraordinary diversity found in the world of pomology.

Matt Kaminsky is an orchardist and farmer from Western Massachusetts whose specialties include wild apples, grafting and topworking, & cider-orchard silvopasture (integration of sheep into cider apple orchards). He created the Annual Wild and Seedling Pomological Exhibition, an annual showcase of novel apples and pears, and its literary byproduct Pomological Series, a photographic pomology book series, now in its 5th Volume, describing and documenting the hundreds of fruit submissions to the Exhibition over the years. His work has yielded some promising new cider apples and a platform for others to share their discoveries with the wider cider and apple-growing community.

Hannah Ferguson was born and raised in Youngstown, OH. Hannah has been a home wine and cider maker for 10 years. She started D.O.P.E. (Dwelling On Positive Energy) Brands LLC in 2017. To expand her knowledge in the industry in 2018 she became an assistant brewer for a local brewery and stayed in the position for 2.5 years. Hannah is the first female black brewer in the state of Ohio, she is also the first black female owned cider and winery (she is the head wine and cider maker) in the state of Ohio DOPE Cider House and Winery opened August 20, 2022. DOPE Brands, LLC is not only a cider and wine manufacturer, but a lifestyle brand that takes pride in creating connections and experiences uniquely through cider and wine. Most importantly D.O.P.E. is about Dwelling On Positive Energy and empowering underrepresented minorities in the industry as well as enthusiasts.

Clay Slaughter is the head cidermaker at Slaughter Orchard & Cidery in Bloomington, Indiana.  A natural educator, he frequently describes himself as a cider evangelist and loves helping people understand the source of their food.

Beyond cidermaking, Clay enjoys helping businesses with legal and strategy issues.  He has over 16 years of legal experience and has served in a range of business roles including CFO, COO, and CSO.  He has experience in large corporations, successful startups, non-profits, and family-owned businesses (both as family and as a non-family member).  He strongly believes that all types of businesses can benefit from all types of business planning – including the often discussed but seldom finalized succession planning. As part of his legal career, Clay has taught a variety of university courses in business communications, legal writing, legal research, cultural awareness in criminal justice, and First Amendment Free Speech.

He has a genetic biology degree from Purdue University, law degree from Indiana University, and PhD in education from Indiana University.

Cortni McGregor Stahl is the co-founder and cidermaker at Star Cider in Canandaigua, NY. She also teaches with the Cider Institute and collaborates with the Cornell Craft Beverage Institute. Passionate about blending art and science in her craft, Cortni loves experimenting with new cider flavors — and her favorite apple, the Golden Russet always finds a place in a cider blend each year.

Based in Seattle, WA and hailing from Johnstown, PA, Marina is a Certified Pommelier™, advocate, and enthusiast who is always eager to share her love of cider and the industry. An active member of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild and avid supporter of both National Cider Month and Philly Cider Week, she jumps at every opportunity to connect with fellow cider enthusiasts and celebrate the community.