Board of Directors
Greg Heller-Labelle
Greg is the President of AMMA.
Brian Wing
Brian Wing is Co-Owner and Head Cider & Mead Maker of Green Bench Mead & Cider of Saint Petersburg, FL. Opened in 2015, Green Bench seeks to showcase amazing craft cider and mead to drinkers in the Sunshine State. Brian is an ACA Certified Pommelier™ and holds a position as instructor for University of South Florida’s Brewing Arts program where he teaches courses on production to aspiring professional cider and mead makers. Previously, Brian served 6 years on the Board of Directors for the American Mead Makers Association; four years as Treasurer and two as President before serving as Ex Officio.
Matthew Ellis
Matthew Ellis, also known as Dr. Waffles, is the owner and mead/cider maker at Waffle Sauce Meadery in Merritt Island, Florida. With a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, Matt combines his scientific expertise with a passion for brewing to create innovative meads and ciders. He founded Waffle Sauce Meadery in 2023, applying principles of engineering, automation, and simplicity to craft unique products. Before venturing into the mead industry, Matt held multiple senior engineering roles at leading space launch companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. He currently serves as the Lead for New Shepard Reliability at Blue Origin. Disliking artificial flavors and the taste of alcohol, Matt is committed to producing meads and ciders that don't taste like traditional alcoholic beverages, despite having an average ABV of 14-17%. His dedication to authentic flavors has become a hallmark of Waffle Sauce's offerings. Outside of his professional life, Matt enjoys boating, playing guitar, and video games. He resides with his wife, three children, three dogs, and five cats. As a board member of the American Mead Makers Association, Matt is dedicated to advancing the mead industry through innovation and quality craftsmanship.