We’re Whey Too Excited to Introduce the 2025 OCCs!

It truly takes a village to make the ACS Annual Conference unforgettable—and every year, our community of passionate, hardworking volunteers rises to the occasion.

At the heart of it all are the Official Conference Cheesemongers (OCCs)—skilled professionals who help lead behind-the-scenes operations as part of our Conference Leadership Training Program. These individuals don’t just show up—they set the tone, bring the energy, and help keep everything running smoothly from start to finish.

This high-impact, high-visibility role is more than a title—it’s a recognition of leadership, dedication, and excellence in the cheese profession. With only a few selected each year, being named an OCC is a true honor.

Want to join the team that makes the magic happen? Volunteer alongside these inspiring leaders this summer in Sacramento—aka the City of Cheese!

Sign Up to Volunteer

Dr. Jessica Kasinski, ACS CCP®, ACS CCSE®

A love and knowledge of food grew simultaneously with a love and knowledge of opera as Dr. Jessica Kasinski worked for years in the restaurant and catering industries as a way to pay for her education. Working with some of the most successful restauranteurs and chefs on the East Coast, she learned valuable skills and an appreciation for hard work, local sourcing, and gastronomy.  Taking over as the Specialty Team Leader at the Whole Foods in Madison, WI in 2019,  she was able to delve into the world of cheese and has with the help of fantastic local cheese makers and vendors, been able to expand her knowledge and that of her team. Her involvement with ACS began with her CCP and CCSE exams. When Jessica is not working in her department, she enjoys performing with her local theatre companies, camping the North Shore of Minnesota, and napping with her cats.

Jillian Shipman

Jillian’s love of cheese started in childhood, sparked by a fascination with flavors and textures. While pursuing a BFA in Modern Dance, she took a job with Murray’s Cheese where she discovered a deeper appreciation for the craft, recognizing cheese as an art form that blends tradition, creativity, and technique. This job ignited her passion, leading her to grow from a team member to a lead and eventually into her current role as a Store Opening Specialist. Now she travels throughout the Southeast, bringing Murray’s signature experience to new locations. With a background in merchandising and education,

she is dedicated to making cheese approachable

and exciting to all.

Megan Wiggers, ACS CCP®

Megan’s journey into cheese began during her freshman year of college at SUNY Purchase, when the current heads of the Cheese Club stepped down and asked for volunteers to keep the legacy going. Megan jumped at the chance to take on this responsibility and thus began her passion for cheese. During her 3 years of cheese club presidency, she found a job at Whole Foods Market on the weekends behind the cheese counter. Once she graduated, she went on to various roles at WFM, ranging from team member to order writer, associate team leader and finally team leader. In 2019, she gained her CCP status and met amazing folks associated with the cheese community at her first ACS Conference in Virgina. From there, she sought out as many opportunities as she could to involve herself in the community. Megan has participated as both contestant and crew for the Cheesemonger Invitational in NYC and has attended cheese camp at Jasper Hill Farms in Vermont. Megan was also a scholarship recipient to the 2023 ACS conference in Iowa. Megan loves that she gets to travel for cheese, meeting new peers and developing life-long friendships in the process.

ACS 2025 Annual Conference Information

Support the Conference: Learn more about the many sponsorship levels designed to suit your needs by contacting Tara Holmes at tholmes@cheesesociety.org or checking out the Sponsorship Opportunities here. Conference Schedule: Check out all the conference fun here. Pre and Post-Conference Tours: Explore Sacramento and the surrounding area. Learn more and book here. Travel and Lodging: Secure your room and find travel information to Sacramento here.

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