Linda Flemins
Statement of Candidacy – 2025
My name is Linda Flemins, and I am respectfully declaring my candidacy for a seat on the Board of the Orange County Wine Society (OCWS).
For the past three years, as your Director, I have enjoyed volunteering with you. I have been energized by your enthusiasm and fun-loving nature. I have been motivated by you to fulfill the purpose of the organization which is to promote the knowledge and understanding of wine and provide for student scholarships. For these reasons, and my belief that I can serve and represent you well, I ask for your vote as a Director for the next three years.
OCWS Experience: My volunteer activities have included:
• Membership Chairperson: Monthly preparation of reports; Annual Business Meeting presentation; monitoring OC Fair statistics; implementation of innovative programs such as the New Member White Ribbon Program and the New Member Friend Program.
• New Member Mixer Chairperson: Coordination and planning of new member orientation event.
• Co-Chair of The Wine Education Committee – preparation of wine education articles for Wine Wisdom newsletter and organizing coordinated wine education training with Total Wine.
• OC Fair Committee Member: Responsible Beverage Server (RBS) badge coordination: Sparkling Wine Seminar presenter; Courtyard Cashier, Server, Manager, Courtyard Set-up
• Board Liaison for the Spring and Fall Socials – assisting with all aspects including budgets, planning, event set-up and the scholarship silent auction.
• OCWS Bylaws Committee – coordination with outside attorney regarding changes
• The Commercial Wine Competition – Wine Cataloging; Wine Sorting; Score Verifier; and Awards Medal Mailer
• 50th Anniversary Committee Member – Preparation & conduction of interviews and articles
• The Home Wine Competition – Wine Steward and Awards Medal Mailer
• Cook’s Caucus Volunteer – assisting in making and serving food.
Education: I am a graduate of California Polytechnic University Pomona and a retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA). I worked for the U. S. Treasury Department for 37 years as
• A Senior Manager in charge of managing Large Corporate and International Audits
• A Technical Expert on Intangible Assets and the Media & Entertainment Industry
Wine Passion: Not only tasting but learning about and sharing my knowledge of wine. My experiences include:
• Vinolust Classes: courses include Bordeaux, Loire, Burgundy, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Wine Tasting and Evaluation Courses
• Wines Trips: Road Scholar Bounty of Baja Mexican Wine and North of Napa Lake County Wine travels; Italy trips to Tuscany, Sicily, Umbria; local trips to Napa; Paso Robles; Lodi.
• OCWS Home Wine Judging Seminar and Home Wine Kit Class
I have the business acumen, OCWS knowledge, wine knowledge; and passion along with desire to dedicate my time towards achieving the purpose of the OCWS. I will listen and maintain an open mind for innovative ideas and share my knowledge of wines. I promise to work diligently to make the OCWS the absolute best it can be. Please vote for me and allow me the honor of serving you as a Director on the OCWS Board of Directors.
John Lane
Statement of Candidacy
My name is John Lane and I am declaring my candidacy for a seat on the Orange County Wine Society Board of Directors.
As a returning board member I have been involved in the inner working of the society and have enjoyed working with the board and all of you to strengthen our organization during these challenging times.
Some of the activities and volunteer positions held over my previous term:
- Winemakers group board liaison: Working with the wine makers administration to bring all the activities and events to the board and share the groups feedback.
- Home Wine Competition – Head of Judges: Notification, selection and coordination of the judging panels for the Home Wine Competition.
- Commercial Wine Competition – Co-Cataloging Chair (with Teri Lane and Liz & Lloyd Corbet). A leadership team dedicated to the successful coordination and cataloging of the entire commercial wine entries for the Commercial Wine Competition. I have also served as a steward for the competition each year.
- Board Liaison – OCWS Mini-Tastings: Provide board interface with the event chair.
- Assistant Cellar Master: Support the current cellar master and existing assistant cellar master.
- Home Wine Kit Class Instructor: Provide entry level instruction for those interested in the methods of wine making from a kit.
I am a graduate of LaVerne University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. I am currently employed as a Director of Quality Assurance in the aerospace manufacturing industry. I will be retiring from my long term career at the end of this year and look forward to putting my talents to use where needed.
In my passion to learn about wine, I joined the winemaker’s group and made several varietals using the methods taught to me by the fellow winemakers. This year, one of those wines won a double gold in the home wine competition. As you might imagine, my passion and appreciation for wine making has only increased as I continue my journey as a winemaker. I believe in the mission of the Orange County Wine Society and feel that I have the business background, knowledge of how the organization works as well as wine knowledge to be of good benefit to the society.
I support the current society goals of providing wine education to its members and to dedicate funds to the teaching institutions that support the wine industry, whether it is enology, viticulture or culinary programs.
I am very approachable and will listen to your concerns and suggestions. I would be honored to represent all our members as a returning board member of the Orange County Wine Society.
Hello, my name is Don Mayer, and I’m running for a seat on the board.
For the past 49 years, this organization has built an impressive legacy through its programs, planning, and execution. I’m running for a board position because I want to honor that history while also helping to guide the organization into the future. My professional experience has taught me that we need to constantly be moving forward, or else we risk falling behind. That’s a philosophy I’ll bring to the board. I believe this principle is essential for this organization’s continued success. To demonstrate my forward-looking mindset and collaborative approach, I’d like to share recent examples of projects where I’ve contributed.
Mini Tasting Coordinator
For the past year I have served as the Mini Tasting Coordinator, and am exploring ways to build stronger linkages to our Wine Competition partners by featuring their product as part of the Mini Tasting program. Additionally, by introducing new themes for the events I’m seeking to build interest and participation.
Recognizing Volunteers
I had streamlined the process for tracking Volunteer Hours for the organization, with each Committee Chair providing their team volunteer hours to me. The Tracker file provides visibility across all the committees to provide an accurate view of not only the hours volunteered but also the number of different programs.
The Wine Defect Workshop
This past June, after the success of last year’s workshop, the second Wine Defect Workshop was held. This workshop offered 40 Wine Society members the opportunity to learn about different types of wine defects. This was achieved by a first hand comparison of a faulted wine, as identified by the OCWS Commercial Competition judges, against the same unfaulted version of the wine. In proposing this seminar in 2024, I believed this was an excellent opportunity to experience wine like the judges at the competition. This experience to learn about wine defects aligns with, and promotes the OCWS mission of education.
While I didn’t have to be a board member to help with these projects, I believe they demonstrate my approach to problem-solving and my willingness to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I bring this same mindset to everything I do. In working the fair and participating in the many activities of the organization, I recognize there are many people who have far more experience and knowledge of the inner workings than I. My objective as a board member would be to continue to learn, to be a team player and to help make decisions that both honor our incredible legacy in the short term while shaping the future for the opportunities ahead.
Thank you,
Don Mayer
Mel Jay
Statement of Candidacy
My name is Mel Jay, and I am seeking re-election to the Orange County Wine Society Board of Directors. I have had the privilege of serving three terms (nine years) on the Board, and during that time, our Society has faced both challenges and triumphs. Most recently, the pandemic tested our resilience, but thanks to the dedication of our members and volunteers, we overcame those difficulties and successfully returned to full operations.
Today, we face new challenges, particularly the rising costs of insurance and technology. These require strong financial oversight and skilled leadership. I bring both professionalism and deep experience to this role. As a CPA in practice for forty-nine years, I have the financial expertise needed to guide the Society responsibly.
For over 25 years, I have been an active member and volunteer, serving on and chairing numerous committees. My contributions include managing in the Wine Courtyard, judging in the Homewine Competition, chairing the Finance Committee, and—most importantly—serving as your Treasurer for eight years.
I am enthusiastic about the future of the OCWS. If re-elected, I will continue working to expand and enhance the goals of our Society while ensuring sound financial management. I am committed to supporting innovative new events for our members and improving upon the traditions that make our community so special.
I would be honored to have your vote and continued support