Cheese Expert – Bill Stephenson

Bill Stephenson is a subject matter expert in cheese and uses education as a principal vehicle to help drive category knowledge. Bill’s integral work with team members and customers often makes his position a collaborative effort with the organization.

Bill has conducted in-person and online trainings for team members, vendors and customers including Affiliated Foods, AFS, Albertsons-Safeway BevMo, Bristol Farms, Boise Coop, Costco, Gelson’s, Haggen, Kroger, Metropolitan Market, New Seasons, PCC, and Rudy’s. His annual study groups for the ACS CCP Exam and TASTE Test have helped many candidates from all sectors of the supply chain for cheese, across the U.S. and internationally, to earn their coveted certifications.

Bill is a strategic resource on regulatory matters related to cheese, including the importation of cheese. He supports customers with tailored market research and category education. He has been invited to present at industry events such as the American Cheese Society’s Annual Conference.

Bill earned his Masters of Science in Food Science from the University of California, Davis in 2003 along with a Diploma In Brewing certification from the Institute of Brewers and Distillers. He completed Washington State University’s cheesemaking short course in 2004. Bill serves as a member of the board of directors for the American Cheese Society and the Cheese Importers Association of America.