The Trustees
A Trustee is appointed by a Sponsor to represent the Sponsor’s interests to the Trust and actively serve to further the Mission of the Trust.
John Varigos
(AOF)
John Varigos is the current President of the WOCT. He is also Co-Chair and Director of the Australian Orchid Foundation, & Senior Research Fellow, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne. Australia. Has been growing orchids for more than 40 years with a focus on species orchids. In addition to his role with the AOF, he is President of the Orchid Species Society of Victoria & for 10 years Vice President of the Australasian Native Orchid Society (Victoria). For the past 20 years has travelled to many places around the world exploring and photographing orchids in situ. He is professionally trained as a pharmacologist and is involved in managing clinical trials of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Clare Hermans, MD
(EOC)
Dr. Clare Hermans is the current President-Elect of the WOC. She is the Hardy Orchid Society delegate to the European Orchid Council and has been an EOC Board member since 2013. Having recently served as the Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society Orchid Committee she now serves as a Vice-Chair. She is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, and a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Orchid Specialist Group. She is an accredited RHS Show Judge and has participated in orchid events around the world.
William Riley, PhD (AOS)
Dr. William Riley is the current Secretary of the WOCT. Previously, he served the American Orchid Society as a Trustee, Secretary, and Chair of various committees. He has been awarded the Society’s prestigious Silver Medal twice for his leadership and organizational skills. He and his wife are AOS-accredited judges whose orchids have received many AOS awards. Professionally, he was a medical microbiologist, molecular biologist and immunologist. Since retiring, he has focused on other lifelong interests, including environmental conservation and habitat restoration.
George Hatfield
(AOS)
George Hatfield is the current Treasurer of the WOCT. He graduated with honors from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science. George is the founder of Hatfield Orchids which was established in 1999. George served as President of the American Orchid Society 2016 – 2018. George received the Hudlow Trophy from the Cymbidium Society of America recognizing his achievements in Cymbidium hybridizing.
Haruhiko (Harry) Nagata (Tokyo Host Liason)
Mr. Nagata Nagata was born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in 1954 and has been growing orchids for nearly five decades. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the international orchid community through his leadership in organizing major orchid conferences and exhibitions.
Mr. Nagata served as Vice Show Chairman of the 12th World Orchid Conference in Tokyo, Secretary General of the Nagoya International Orchid Show (1990–1992), and Trustee of the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival at Tokyo Dome from 1991 to 2020.
He also served as Secretary General of the 7th Asia Pacific Orchid Conference, President of the Asia Pacific Orchid Conference Main Committee (2001–2004), and President of the Asia Pacific Orchid Conference Trust (2007–2016). He currently serves as Secretary General of the Organizing Committee for the 25th World Orchid Conference.
Mr. Nagata's dedication to orchids and his longstanding service to the international orchid community have earned him the respect and admiration of growers around the world.