Portland, OR (February 2015) – The Oregon Cheese Guild has selected Katie Bray as the first executive director of the association, which represents the interests of artisan creameries throughout the state.
Bray brings more than 15 years of experience in collaborative marketing, the last ten of which have been dedicated to Oregon’s artisanal food and beverage industry. As Marketing and Events Director for the Oregon Wine Board, her responsibilities spanned marketing, education, and membership development, positioning her well to drive these initiatives at the Guild. As Wine Director at Watershed 
Communications, she helped to give Oregon’s small, family-owned wineries a national voice.
“We are thrilled to have selected Katie as the Oregon Cheese Guild’s first executive director,” said Jim Hoffman, Guild president and owner of Briar Rose Creamery. “She has an unstoppable energy about her as well as a passion for local, hand crafted food, and we think she’ll able to put this to good use promoting the fine artisan cheeses of Oregon. Her background with the Oregon Wine Board gives her a leg up in understanding the market we’re trying to reach. The Guild’s board is delighted to have Katie as part of our team.”
“I’m excited to be joining the organization at this pivotal time,” said Bray. “The Oregon cheese industry is poised for dramatic growth, both in terms of production and awareness. I hope to amplify the reputation our creameries have earned among industry insiders and share it with a wider audience.”
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Founded in 2006, the Oregon Cheese Guild is dedicated to the art and craft of making cheese. The Guild is a collaborative effort to increase awareness of Oregon’s artisanal cheeses, create educational opportunities, and provide a platform for cooperation and shared resources among Oregon cheesemakers.
The Oregon Cheese Guild hosts a number of yearly cheese events such as the upcoming Oregon Cheese Festival at Rogue Creamery, The Wedge in Portland in the fall, and provides The Oregon Cheese Trail, a resource for discovering cheesemakers and vendors in your own backyard or planning a cheese-tourism trip.