Meet the 2024 Candidates
Slate of Nominees for the CAPS 2023 Board of Director Elections
The following is the names and bios of the three nominees for the 2023 CAPS Board of Directors that will be presented to the CAPS membership at the CAPS Annual General Meeting and their credentials.
There are 3 positions available for the Board.
Only 2023-24 ‘members in good standing’ holding the Sommelier membership category (certified Sommelier and non-certified and working professionally in the role of sommelier in the food and beverage alcohol industry), may vote.
The list of nominees and brief summaries of credentials, are provided below to assist members in making an informed decision.
The CAPS Ontario AGM will be on Tuesday March 19th, 2024 at 2:00pm.
All members who are eligible to vote will receive an email with their voting link before the meeting starts. Please watch for it in your inbox. Voting will be open from 12pm-2:15pm on March 19th. The results of the election will be announced at the end of the AGM.
Nominee: Srinivasa Reddy Velagala (Sri)
Title: Sommelier and Food and Beverage Supervisor
Organization: Sommelier and Food and Beverage Supervisor
Certified Sommelier? Yes.
Volunteer Experience: (please list CAPS volunteer experience first)
Did lot of Volunteer at Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, George Brown College.
Why do you wish to have your name stand for election to the CAPS Board of Directors?
Hospitality education and extended Industry experience as well as awareness about current Industry challenges. Eagerness to learn and contribute whatever I can to Industry.
Passion to share skills and knowledge what I learned to next generation of Hospitality professionals.
Identify three key areas the Board of Directors and the Association should focus on
for this coming year?
1) Organizing more Networking events.
2) Having information sessions for new Sommeliers regarding logistics and developing wine lists and wine programs.
3) Spreading awareness about CAPS Organisation, not just in wine and Somm community but in general public.
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Nominee: Stephen Hart
Title: Instructor
Organization: ILAC/Fanshawe College
Certified Sommelier? Yes.
Volunteer Experience: (please list CAPS volunteer experience first)
Board of Governors (Selkirk College), Board of Education - Hospitality Program (Selkirk College). I have really started giving back in the last few years, I have been housing Ukrainian refuges at no cost, and joined the education system to give back to young minds. I know that it’s not technically volunteer work but trust me it comes with a world of responsibilities that do not fit a typical living situation or job.
Why do you wish to have your name stand for election to the CAPS Board of Directors?
While spending my time at the Ritz, Jacobs and co and George on Queen, I held positions of leadership, and I learned that I really enjoy educating people the most out of all my day-today tasks. For the same reason I have begun teaching. For me it’s not about the paycheck. I only choose to teach two classes and week and that is so I can give my best to those students. I think for the CAPS board I would feel the exact same. I really want to make a difference in students’ careers and lives, as well and build the CAPS
program to be the flagship for wine education world.
Identify three key areas the Board of Directors and the Association should focus on for this coming year?
1. For the upcoming year I think it might be of interest to broaden CAPS awareness to the central and west coast of Canada and to build brand awareness across Canada at an equal level.
2. Strive to find innovative ways of teaching, and looking at models and system the CAPS are using for educational delivery, and fine tuning them for best results.
3. Partnerships with more industry leaders such as restaurants and hotels, vineyards etc.
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Nominee: Antionette Davies
Title: Sommelier, Education, PhD Geologist
Organization: Opimian Wine Club Du Vin, Geogre Brown College
Certified Sommelier? Yes.
Volunteer Experience: (please list CAPS volunteer experience first)
Canadian Wine Awards-Volunteer Judge
Music Convenor-Parent Guild RSGC Current
Why do you wish to have your name stand for election to the CAPS Board of Directors?
I want to bring my experience as an alumni of CAPS and Sommelier currently employed in a private club (not for profit) and public educational sector to give back to future cohorts, concentrating on wine education platforms.
Identify three key areas the Board of Directors and the Association should focus on for this coming year?
Diversity, inclusion and mentorship.