Proprietor of Rock Hill Honey Bee Farms, a service-disabled veteran–owned commercial operation running approximately 1100 colonies across Virginia and beyond. Jerry leads a workforce of 11 employees and maintains a strong presence in 19 farmers markets throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., offering practical insight into scaling, logistics, and disease management in a commercial setting.

Kristine Smith is a Virginia Master Beekeeper, educator, artist, and the President of the Virginia State Beekeepers Association. She runs Stone Horse Apiary & Apothecary, managing more than 100 colonies across the Tidewater region and specializing in science-based teaching, practical hive management, queen rearing, and value-added hive products. A dedicated community builder, Kristine leads statewide initiatives in education, youth programming, leadership development, and beekeeper support. Her workshops blend hands-on learning with accessible science—from honey bee biology and pests & diseases to microscopy, seasonal management, and beeswax crafting—and are designed to help beekeepers of all levels build confidence and resilience.

Rey Wilson is the founder of Homegrown Hives and a former 2nd grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools with a master’s degree in early childhood education. Rey’s passion for honeybees began in college and deepened during graduate school, where she explored the use of virtual reality to teach elementary students about bees. Through Homegrown Hives, Rey now brings together a love of teaching and beekeeping by offering youth honeybee and pollinator education, family programs, and concierge beekeeping with one-on-one hive coaching across the DMV. Rey believes honeybees are more than pollinators—they are teachers, offering lessons about our planet, our communities, and ourselves—and loves helping young learners and beginning beekeepers build curiosity, confidence, and care for the natural world.

Ryan Williamson of Sourwood Farm is a second-generation beekeeper managing approximately 350 colonies with a focus on genetics, honey production, nucs, and queens. Known for his experimental approach, Ryan shares field-tested techniques, DIY solutions, and practical insights from the bee yard, helping beekeepers explore new methods while staying grounded in real-world results.