We are happy to welcome Lora Price as our new Professional Member Development Director. Lora is a Human Resources professional in the wine industry, serving as HR Manager at Duckhorn Winery and now at Mumm Napa. She was Co-Chair of the Educational Seminars for the first Grand Event in 2007 (and did a stellar job), and last year she chaired the Friday Grand Event Reception at Paraduxx. She was the chair of the first HR Roundtable for the Napa Sonoma chapter, helping to organize and launch the first (very successful) WWS HR roundtable for winery HR professionals.
As Professional Member Development Director Lora will help strengthen what we offer to professional members, and ensure WWS remains involved in and relevant to the wine industry. One of the first things Lora is working on is helping chapters around the country set up professional Roundtables. These have been highly successful in the Napa Sonoma Chapter, supporting wine industry professionals and attracting new WWS members, Other top priorities include a survey of professional members to determine their expectations and understand how WWS can benefit them, the professional member directory, a mentoring program, and programs to assist professional development and help members transition into the wine industry.