Sue England
DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
Hello, my name is Sue England, and I am declaring my candidacy for the Board of Directions for the Orange County Wine Society (OCWS).
Having served on the current Board for the past three years and been actively involved with the Orange County Wine Society for the past seven years, I have developed an even greater appreciation for our mission of promoting wine education, fostering community, and supporting the scholarship programs that make our organization unique. Being part of the OCWS, continuing my own wine education, helping others through scholarships, and working alongside so many dedicated members truly feeds my soul.
My commitment to nonprofit service spans more than 42 years. In addition to my work with the Orange County Wine Society, I have been an active member of the Downey Rose Float Association, where I served as Director, Membership Chair, Treasurer, and President, while also chairing numerous fundraising events. These experiences have taught me the importance of teamwork, financial responsibility, thoughtful planning, building a sense of community, and supporting the volunteers who are the heart of every successful organization.
During my time with the Orange County Wine Society, I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles beyond my responsibilities as a Director, including:
- Auction Committee – Volunteer Coordinator: Organized and communicated with volunteers, prepared volunteer assignment lists for the Auction departments, tracked and reported volunteer hours, and assisted with preparations for the Wine Experiences.
- Cooks Caucus Committee: Helped plan and prepare the meals served at the Spring and Fall Socials and the Home Winemakers Competition.
- Outreach Chair: Organized volunteers for community events to introduce the public to the OCWS and promote wine education.
- OC Fair Committee: Managed Responsible Beverage Server (RBS) certification for volunteers and am currently being mentored in volunteer scheduling for the Fair.
- Photo Committee Chair: Coordinate member photographers, photograph Society events, and facilitate the Photo of the Month competition.
I am currently semi-retired and continue to work as a field accountant, a position I have held for more than 30 years. My professional experience, combined with my years of nonprofit leadership and service to the OCWS, has given me the knowledge, perspective, and commitment to continue serving our members effectively.
The Orange County Wine Society is much more than a wine organization. It is a community built by dedicated volunteers who share a passion for education, friendship, giving back and of course, wine. I believe our members are our greatest strength, and I am committed to listening, keeping an open mind, embracing new ideas, and helping the Society continue to grow and succeed.
It would be a great honor to continue serving on the Board of Directors. I am committed to dedicating my time, experience, and enthusiasm to helping the Orange County Wine Society fulfill its mission and build on its many accomplishments.
Thank you for your consideration.
Craig Peterson
Leadership Experience and Qualifications for Board Service
I bring more than four decades of leadership experience managing complex organizations, multidisciplinary engineering and operations teams, and high-stakes programs in the aerospace industry. Throughout my career, I have built and led teams, developed organizational processes, managed diverse stakeholders, and worked collaboratively to achieve challenging objectives. The roles I have owned required strong communication, consensus building, accountability, and the ability to bring people with different perspectives together toward a common goal. My experiences strengthened my ability to lead volunteers and professionals alike, build effective teams, navigate differing viewpoints, and maintain focus on successful outcomes.
I believe these experiences translate directly to serving on the Orange County Wine Society Board of Directors. In particular, I would bring a strong commitment to member engagement and community building. My experience has taught me that successful organizations are built around people—creating opportunities for individuals to contribute, developing strong relationships, encouraging participation, and ensuring that everyone feels connected to the larger mission.
Through my involvement and contributions* to the wine society, I have developed an appreciation for the unique community it provides to its members. I would like to use my leadership experience to help strengthen that community, encourage greater member participation, support the society’s events and programs, and help create an environment where members continue to find value, friendship, and enjoyment through their shared interest in wine.
I would approach board service with the same qualities that have guided my professional career: integrity, collaboration, accountability, thoughtful decision-making, and a commitment to developing people and organizations for long-term success. Most importantly, I would bring enthusiasm for the Orange County Wine Society and a sincere desire to contribute to its continued growth and success.
(*) OC Fair Wine Courtyard server and steward, wine courtyard setup and teardown, taking over the management of the OC Fair Wine Courtyard setup and teardown, participant of the Cooks Caucus, CO-Chair of the Cooks Caucus, and moving wine for the Commercial and Home wine competitions.