Our Team
Tim Powers, Student Services Director
Prior to joining the Commonwealth Wine School team, Tim served in a variety of roles across the beverage industry, including working at a small winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and later managing a local boutique wine shop. However, his focus remained the same: to educate consumers while expanding their palettes, and to advocate for small, family-run producers from around the world.
At Commonwealth Wine School, Tim works to support and empower his students, serving as the Student Services Manager, and as an Instructor, teaching WSET and non-certification courses on cider, spirits, and wine. He works as a cider and spirits judge at competitions across the United States, and has been a guest speaker at a number of conventions. He also serves as a member of the Education Committee for the American Cider Association.
Tim is a WSET Certified Educator, and holds the Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the Level 3 Award in Sake with Distinction, and the Level 3 Award in Spirits with Distinction. Additionally, he was awarded the Worshipful Company of Distiller’s Americas Prize for his score on the WSET Spirits exam. He is also a Certified Pommelier™ through the American Cider Association, a Cider Judge through the BJCP, and has a Master’s in Music from Arizona State, and a Bachelor’s in Music from Ithaca College. In addition to cider, spirits, and wine, Tim continues to hone his musical skills, as well as being an avid outdoorsmen, exploring as many National Parks and Forests as he can.