[Content from original press release.]
In recognition of the need and demand for training and the development of cider production skills in North America, the industry launched a new organization, the Cider Institute of North America (CINA) in 2016. Today, the Board of Directors is excited to announce CINA’s new Executive Director, Brighid O’Keane.
“We are lucky and excited to have Brighid leading our newly founded organization,” says Nick Gunn of BenchCraft Consulting and CINA’s Board President, “She will be a tremendous asset in our efforts to build out an educational framework for the cider industry today and in the future.”
Brighid has worked for over a decade in nonprofit organizational development and joins CINA from LIVE, a certifier of sustainable vineyards and wineries. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Director and Interim Executive Director of the Alliance for Biking & Walking, North America’s coalition of active transportation advocates, where she helped train organizations and leaders to build and fund healthy communities. She is a board member of the Berkeley Student Food Collective and co-founder of a direct trade tea company. A graduate from the University of Colorado, Brighid grew up in Rochester, NY and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.
“I am thrilled to support and grow with the cider industry as CINA’s first Executive Director and I invite all feedback and ideas as we map our way forward,” adds Brighid.
CINA also announces its slate of 2018 Cider & Perry Production-Foundation courses. Registration is open for all week-long classes at www.ciderinstitute.com/coursework and there will be a sneak-peak of the curriculum at the Cider Institute Boot Camp on January 31 at CiderCon in Baltimore: www.facebook.com/events/245380612664351. The date for the Master Class, taught by Peter Mitchell, will be announced later this year.
- Jan. 8-12 Cornell University Geneva, NY
- Feb. 12-16 South Puget Sound Community College Lacey, WA
- Mar. 12-16 Washington State University Mt. Vernon, WA
- Mar. 19-23 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
- Apr. 23-27 Brock University St. Catherine’s, Ontario
- Jun. 4-8 University of Idaho Caldwell, ID
- Jul. 23-27 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
- Aug. 13-17 Brock University St. Catherine’s, Ontario
Made up of passionate cider industry professionals and educators, CINA’s mission is to create a quality-driven and sustainable cider industry through education and research. To find out more about the CINA and upcoming courses, visit www.ciderinstitute.com.
