J.R. Ayala (she/they)

J.R. Ayala has a diverse work experience in the food and beverage industry. They first worked at Max's Wine Dive from 2013 to 2015, where they completed a wine education program and worked as a wine salesperson and educator. They also represented the company during the 2014 Napa Valley harvest.

From 2015 to 2020, Ayala worked for McGuire Moorman Hospitality. They served as a Certified Sommelier and Bartender at Jeffrey's of Austin, where they curated wine experiences and executed a cocktail list. They were also responsible for spirits orders and represented the company at industry events. At Clark's Oyster Bar LLC, they worked as a Wine Buyer and Bar Supervisor, managing the restaurant's wine program, leading a team of bartenders, and maintaining a high-quality spirits program.

Currently, Ayala works at Serendipity Wines LLC as a Creative Content & Marketing Manager. Their responsibilities include launching marketing programs, creating original video content, and organizing educational events with key accounts in Texas.

J.R. Ayala (she/they) attended Florida State University from 2009 to 2012, where they obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Classics, specifically emphasizing Latin and Attic Greek. Additionally, in August 2017, Ayala obtained a certification as a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) from the Society of Wine Educators.