Society of Wine Educators Welcomes New Board and New President

NEW YORK, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Wine Educators has announced that Ira Norof, CWE, Director of Education at Southern Wine & Spirits in Southern California, will assume the role of President of the Society on September 1, 2010. This is a three-year term, which he will hold until August 31, 2013.

Norof began his career at Southern Wine and Spirits in 1983, after a career in retail and as a sommelier. He first joined the Society of Wine Educators that same year, and became a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) in 1999. He was elected a Member of the Board in 2002, has served as Conference Chair since 2005, and became Vice President in 2007.

While respecting the traditions and mission of the Society, Norof's goals for the Society are focused on conservative expansion, both globally and domestically. "I think it's a good time for the Society to expand our presence in existing markets, such as Asia and Europe, and develop our presence in new ones, such as South America. I would like to increase the areas of study and educational opportunities. Our Annual Conference is our core event, with over 50 sessions covering an enormous range of subjects, but in order to promote more awareness and increase membership, in addition to this prestigious event, the Society is introducing our first one-day intensive in Houston in October. The Society has an impressive past, and I look forward to contributing to an exciting future."

The Society of Wine Educators also announced the election of its Board of Directors. Voted on by the members of the Society, these people will serve a 2-year term.

• Mark Chandler, CSW: Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission in Lodi
• Barry Wiss, CWE: A Wine Educator and CSW/CWE exam administrator and proctor who teaches at the CIA and WISE Academy
• Patrick D. Dodd, CWE: Director of Wine & Spirits Education for the Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA
• Paul Wagner: Founder and President of Balzac Communications, Napa, California.
• Maria E. Denton, CWE: General Manager, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Washington DC

The mission of the non-profit Society of Wine Educators is to advance wine and spirit education through professional development and certification. Founded in 1974 by a group of wine professionals at the UC Davis campus, the Society is now headquartered in Washington, DC. The Society has over 2,600 members in 13 different countries. The Society offers three types of certification: 1) Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), geared to the intermediate wine professional; 2) Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS); and 3) Certified Wine Educator (CWE), recognizing a higher level of achievement, and requiring a written exam, sensory evaluations, and a teaching presentation. In addition to gaining a depth of knowledge, people who achieve certification are viewed as prize candidates for jobs in the wine, spirits and hospitality industries.

For more information about the Society of Wine Educators, please visit www.societyofwineeducators.org

SOURCE Society of Wine Educators