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Candidates for Election to the ASEV Board of Directors for 2025–2026

  • April 16, 2025

A slate of candidates for election has been prepared by the Nominating Committee and submitted to the Board of Directors. This slate is a result of nominations submitted by the membership from the Call for Nominations sent to Professional and Emeritus Members in December 2024. All candidates have agreed to serve if elected.

Candidates were selected in accordance with the Bylaws as revised June 2018. Elective offices to be filled are two Directors for a three-year term, a Second Vice-President for a one-year term, and a Secretary-Treasurer for a three-year term.

For your convenience, we are emailing and mailing the ballot. If you choose to vote electronically, your vote will not be confidential. If you wish for your vote to be confidential, please vote by mail when you receive your ballot and return envelope.

SUBMIT YOUR OFFICIAL E-BALLOT
FOR THE 2025–2026 ELECTION.

ALL VOTING MEMBERS ARE URGED TO EXERCISE THIS PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY.

The receipt deadline for ballots is May 16, 2025

Candidate Biographical Information

The following biographical information briefly indicates each candidate’s educational training, professional employment, ASEV activities, etc., as submitted. A photo of each candidate is also included for identification.

CANDIDATES ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL SEQUENCE under each office to be filled.

Nominees for Second Vice-President

  • Tory Arvik

    Education: Ph.D., Food Science & Technology, Cornell University, 2002. M.S., Food Science and Technology, Cornell University, 2001. B.S., Biology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, 1995.

    Employment: Research Food Technologist at USDA Agricultural Research Service, January 2025 – Present, focusing on smoke taint remediation and wine quality preservation. Director of Applied Research at Jackson Family Wines, 2007-2023, focusing on grape and wine production technical support; Development Scientist, ETS Laboratories, 2002-2006, focusing on development of molecular test to detect wine spoilage organisms (Scorpions®).

    ASEV Activities: Member since 1999. Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer, 2022-2025, Director, 2018-2021. ASEV Committees: ASEV Scholarship Committee, 2019-Present; Chair of the ASEV Technical Liaison Committee, 2017-present; Member of the ASEV Policy Committee, 2017; Best Student Paper Awards Committee Member, 2008, 2019, 2021; Presenter and Moderator at ASEV Eastern Section and National Conferences since 2002. AJEV Reviewer since 2002. Member, Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Program Development Committee, 2017-2019. Best Enology Paper awardee, 2006.

    Other Activities: Chair, Gold Standard Group, 2021-present, Member since 2007. Member, American Society of Brewing Chemists, 2007-2012. Member, IFT 1996-2002. Chair, Central New York IFT, 2000

  • Federico Casassa

    Education: BS in Viticulture and a MS in Enology from the School of Agronomic Sciences in Mendoza (Argentina), and a Ph.D. in Wine Chemistry and Sensory Analysis from Washington State University (USA).

    Employment: Professor (full) of Enology with the Wine and Viticulture Department of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California. Teaches Wine Sensory Analysis in the Wine Program of Hancock College in Santa Maria.

    ASEV Activities: Member from 2010–2013 and 2016–present. Board of Directors, 2020–present; “Best Paper of the Year Award” of the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. (AJEV) in three opportunities: 2014, 2017, and 2022; Annual Conference speaker, 2010–2012; Annual Conference Moderator, 2017–2024. Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Speaker and Moderator, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024; ASEV Climate Change Symposium Organizing Committee, 2023; ASEV Technical Program Committee member, 2023-present.

    Other Activities: Published research includes studies on the effect of Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) and intrinsic variations of berry size in grapes and wines, cluster thinning, as well as on the various aspects of phenolic extraction and sensory outcomes of different maceration techniques in red wines, including extended maceration, whole cluster and stem additions, cofermentation and prefermentative cold soak. Runs research laboratory at Cal Poly that focuses on non–volatile and volatile wine chemistry and combines chemistry with sensory data (descriptive analysis and time–intensity techniques), with strong focus on grapes and wines of the Central Coast of California, including Pinot noir, Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec), Rhône varietals (Syrah, Grenache), and California heritage varietals such as Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Awarded the Distinguished Scholar Award of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Vinitaly Italian Wine Ambassador. Completed sabbatical at the Australian Wine Research Institute (2023) and taught at the University of Adelaide (Australia) during Summer quarter 2025. Regularly judges for local and international wine competitions.

Nominees for Secretary-Treasurer

  • Lise Asimont

    Education: M.S. Environmental Horticulture with a specialization in viticulture, University of California, Davis, 2000. B.A., Anthropology, Saint Mary’s College of California, 1998.

    Employment: Senior Vice President, Foley Family Farms, 2021-present. Collaborates with an intrepid team overseeing five thousand planted acres throughout California, Oregon, and Washington, which strives to sustainably grow great wines. Viticulturist, Winemaker, and Co-Founder, Dot Wines, 2016-present. Drink Dot! Farm Manager, Prudential CAPS 2020-2021. Director of Winegrowing, Cakebread Cellars, 2018-2020. CEO, VinSense 2017-2018. Adjunct Faculty, Santa Rosa Junior College, 2017-2018. Director of Grower Relations, Francis Coppola Winery, 2006-2017. Grower Relations Representative, Geyser Peak Winery, 2000-2006. Assistant Vineyard Manager, Cambria Estate Winery, 1999-2000.

    ASEV Activities: Professional member since 2008. ASEV Board Member 2010-2017. ASEV Board President 2014- 2015. Executive Committee Member, 2012-2015. Technical Program Committee 2010-present. Unified Wine and Grape Symposium Program Development Committee 2010-2018. Grape Growing Session Moderator for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, 2010 and 2021.

    Other Activities: Board member at large, Family Winemakers, 2025-present. Member, Women for WineSense, 2018–present. Member, Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group 2018-present. Member, Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma County 2023-present. Member, Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay 2024- present. Member, Professionals with Pride 2024-present. Speaker at Viticulture 2010 and 39th Annual New York Wine Industry Workshop. Member, Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Viticulture Advisory Board, 2008–2014.

  • Tom Collins

    Education: Ph.D., Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of California, Davis. B.A., 2012. Russian and Soviet Studies, Cornell University, 1984.

    Employment: Assistant Professor, Viticulture and Enology Program, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 2024-present. Assistant Professor, Viticulture and Enology Program, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 2015-2024. Director of Research, Food Safety and Measurement Facility, University of California, Davis, CA, 2013-2015. Senior Manager, Research and Development, Treasury Wine Estates, St. Helena, CA, 2008–2013. Winemaker, LangeTwins Wine Estates, Acampo, CA, 2006-2008. Senior Manager, Research and Laboratory Services, Foster’s Wine Estates, St. Helena, CA, 2005-2006. Senior Research Enologist, Foster’s Wine Estates, St. Helena, CA, 2002-2005. Manager, East Coast Grower Relations and Vineyard Operations, Constellation Wine Company, Naples, NY, 1997 and 2002.

    ASEV Activities: Member since 1991. ASEV President 2021-2022; ASEV 1st VP, 2020-2021; ASEV 2nd VP, 2019-2020. Secretary-Treasurer, 2009-2010, and 2015-2016. Chair, Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Program Development Committee, 2014-2016 and 2018. Board of Directors, 2008-2009, and 2013-2015. Chair of Technical Project Committee, 2010-2012. Member, Unified Wine & Grape Symposium LLC Managing Committee, 2009-2018 and 2023-ongoing. Chair, Exhibitor Advisory Committee, 2008-2022. Member, Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Program Committee, 2004-present. Member, Lab Proficiency Testing Committee (LPTC), 2004-present; Chair, Lab Proficiency Testing Committee (LPTC), 2012-2014.

    Other Activities: Member, Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Outreach and Technology Transfer Committee, 2015-present. Member, American Society of Mass Spectrometry, 2012-present. Member, American Chemical Society, 2008-present. Member, Gold Standard Committee, 2008-present.

Nominees for Director

  • Karen Block

    Education: Ph.D., Pharmacology and Molecular Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1995. B.S.E., Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1986.

    Employment: Director of Industry Relations, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis, organize extension programs On Campus, On the Road, and virtual (Office Hours); attend various regional group meetings; communicate latest research and other information to stakeholders through email, newsletters, social media, and in-person meetings; and facilitate and host industry recruitment events for students, 2011-present. Senior Scientist, Scidera, Inc. (formerly MMI Genomics and Celera AgGen), Plant and Animal Genomics-Sequencing, Genotyping, and Assay Development, 2000-2011. Postdoctoral Researcher, UC Davis, Cloned and characterized subunits of the translation initiation factor eIF3, 1996-2000. Chemical Engineer, General Mills R & D, Big G Division (developed new breakfast cereals), 1987-1988.

    ASEV Activities: ASEV member since 2011. ASEV Board Member (Director), 2022-2025. Technical Liaison Committee Member, 2016-present. Exhibitor Advisory Committee, Chair, 2022-present. Best Student Presentation Awards Committee, Chair, 2024, 2025. ASEV National Conference Enology Flash Talk Session Moderator 2023, 2024. Co-organize annual UC Davis Viticulture and Enology booth and reception (since 2012) at the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium.

    Other Activities: NGRA Extension and Outreach Committee member, 2019-present. Guest attendee at the research, education, and communication committee meetings for the Lodi Winegrape Commission, 2015-present. California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Green Medal Judging Panel, 2016, 2019-2023. Co-Instructor for VEN 170 (Wine Regulations class for UCD V&E Students), 2019-present.

  • Alec Levin

    Education: Ph.D., Horticulture and Agronomy, University of California, Davis, 2016; B.A., Psychology, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 2008.

    Employment: 2023-Present, Branch Experiment Station Director, Oregon State University; 2022-Present, Associate Professor, Oregon State University; 2016-2022, Assistant Professor, Oregon State University; 2012-2016, Graduate Student Researcher, University of California, Davis.

    ASEV Activities: 2024, Invited Speaker, ASEV Red Blotch Symposium; 2023, Member, Best Paper Committee; 2022, Member, Best Student Presentation Committee; 2015-Present, ASEV Member/Reviewer

    Other Activities: 2023-2024, Chair, NCSFR Viticulture Research Priorities Committee; 2022-2023, Vice-Chair, NCSFR Viticulture Research Priorities Committee; 2022-2023 Member, NVEELC Steering/Organizational Ad-hoc Committee; 2019-Present, Chair, ISHS Grapevine Physiology, Genetics, and Management Working Group; 2016-2023, Member/Reviewer, American Society for Horticultural Science; 2016-Present, Member, International Society for Horticultural Science; 2016-Present, Core Faculty Member, Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University; Co-Project Director for USDA-SCRI Grape Smoke Exposure Project; Lead OSU PI for USDA-SCRI Red Blotch Project; Reviewer for many plant science and horticulture journals; Applied viticulture research program focuses on understanding the physiology of grapevines (with foci on plant water relations, carbohydrate metabolism, and fruit ripening biochemistry), and applying that knowledge to improve vineyard management practices in the context of enhancing the economic and sustainable production of wine grapes. Current projects include: (1) determine impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on grapevine physiology and develop mitigation strategies; (2) determine optimal irrigation initiation time using fruit quality thresholds; (3) characterize grapevine rootstock drought tolerance using stable isotopes; (4) refine cultural practices to lessen negative impacts of Grapevine Red Blotch Disease; (5) research and demonstration vineyard development at SOREC.

  • Caroline Merrell

    Education: Ph.D. Food Science, Washington State University, 2017. B.S. Chemistry, Bucknell University, 2013.

    Employment: Jackson Family Wines, Senior Manager, Winemaking Technical Services 2025-Present, Manager, Winemaking Technical Services 2021-2025, R&D Scientist 2018-2021. Washington State University, Wine Sensory Certificate Program Instructor 2018-2020, Post-Doctoral Researcher 2017-2018, Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant 2014-2017.

    ASEV Activities: Member since 2014. Technical Program Committee 2025. Best Student Presentation Awards Committee 2021, 2023, 2024. Extension Distinction Award Committee 2021, 2024, 2025. Virtual Program Committee 2023-2024. Nominating Committee 2021. ASEV Annual Conference, Speaker 2016-2018, Moderator 2018-2019. Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Speaker 2018, 2021.

    Other Activities: West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force Research Committee 2024-Present. Wine Institute FIRES Committee 2021-2025. Gold Standard Group Member 2018-Present. Women of the Vine & Spirits Member 2021-Present. Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference Speaker 2017. Napa Valley Vintage Report Speaker, 2016. Washington Wine Technical Group Member 2014-2018. Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Annual Meeting 2015-2018.

  • Aude Watrelot

    Education: Ph.D., Food Science, University of Avignon – INRAE, FR, 2013. M.S., Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Science and Technology, Nantes, FR, 2010. B.S. Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Tours, FR, 2008.

    Employment: Assistant Professor of Enology, Iowa State University, USA, 2019-present; Research Engineer, INRAE Sciences for Enology, Montpellier, FR, 2018-2019; Invited Researcher, Australian Wine Research Institute, AU, 2018 (March-May); Post-Doctoral Scholar, University of California, Davis, USA, 2016-2018; Post-Doctoral Scholar, California State University, Fresno, USA, 2014-2016; Graduate Research Intern, SEB group, FR, 2010 (February-August).

    ASEV Activities: ASEV Member since 2014. Chair ASEV-ES, 2024-present. Chair-elect ASEV-ES, 2023-2024. Board director ASEV-ES, 2021-2023. ASEV-ES invited speaker at the workshop “Droughts to Floods: Growing Grapes in Challenging Environments”, 2023. ASEV Extension and Outreach Ad Hoc Committee, 2022-2023. ASEV Nominating Committee Member, 2025. Reviewer for AJEV.

    Other Activities: Vice-President Groupe Polyphénols, 2023-present. Board director Groupe Polyphénols, 2021-2023. International Conference on Polyphenols Scientific Committee, 2023, 2025. American Chemical Symposium (ACS)–Alcoholic Beverage Symposium member 2023-2024. Guest Editor Special Issue Winemaking in journal Fermentation 2024-present. Reviewer of many food science and enology journals, of book proposals, and of grant proposals. Program Director for USDA -SCRI Research and Extension Planning Project on the Challenges and Needs of the US Grape and Wine Industry, 2023-present. Published research includes studies on the effect of viticulture, such as leaf removal and the application of plant growth regulators, and winemaking techniques, such as accentuated cut edges, enzymes, extended maceration, whole clusters fermentation, stems inclusion, on phenolics and tannins extraction and retention. Developed Extension and Outreach programs include the ISU/UMN Research and Winemaking webinar series, workshops, field days, fact sheets and articles to help the growing wine industry in the US Midwest. Instructor of wine science courses for undergraduate and graduate students. Regular presenter at state annual meetings and at wine science, and chemistry conferences including ASEV, ASEV-ES, Macrowine, ACS national meetings, and International Conference on Polyphenols. Judge at Jefferson Cup Wine Competition, 2021, 2022.

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