Board of Directors

Nicholas Troilo, President and Founder

Nicholas Troilo is President and Founder of Turning Wine Into Water. In this capacity, Nick also serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors and currently as the unpaid Executive Director of the organization.

After meeting with representatives of the Zambia office of World Vision and learning of the devastating effects that the lack of potable water has had in various areas of Africa, Nick along with his business partners and family decided to devote a portion of their income to help solve this worldwide problem.

Those initial efforts grew into Turning Wine Into Water.

Nick writes a bi-weekly column for The Darien (Connecticut) News and performs in theatre, film and television.

Emily Milliot, Secretary

In her role as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Turning Wine Into Water, Emily Milliot serves as the central record and compliance officer of the organization. She is also the chair of the Raleigh Events Committee.

Emily is committed to increasing awareness of the sub-standard conditions that those who lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities face and to raising the funds necessary to change those conditions through Turning Wine Into Water.

Emily enjoys playing various sports, spending time with her family and friends, and increasing her world of wine through tastings and dinners.

Vijay Bhirud, Treasurer

Vijay Bhirud serves as Treasurer of Turning Wine Into Water. In addition to his responsibilities as Treasurer which include managing the day-to-day finances of the organization and maintenance of all books and financial records, Vijay also chairs the Allocation Committee and co-chairs the New York City Events Committee.

Vijay’s father grew up in India and experienced firsthand life without many of the amenities we take for granted. Due to his father’s experience, Vijay felt a personal connection to clean water efforts which drew him to Turning Wine Into Water.

Lorie Barber, Director of Legal Affairs

Lorie Barber serves as Director of Legal Affairs for Turning Wine Into Water and co-chairs the New York City Events Committee.

Living with the everyday bounty in this country, Lorie was motivated to become a part of Turning Wine Into Water’s efforts to reach out to those for whom access to clean water, which can be seen as an entitlement to some, is a life saving and life changing event for others.

Joy Lutes, Director of Media and Government Relations

As Director of Media and Government Relations, Joy Lutes works to develop and maintain relationships with all media and government organizations. She also chairs the Washington, D.C. Events Committee.

Joy is passionate about having the opportunity to help others through the efforts of Turning Wine into Water. She is equally passionate about Italian food, sampling new wines, her basset hound, Riley, and the Boston Red Sox.

Karl S. Maruyama, Director of Art and Graphic Design

Karl S. Maruyama is the Director of Art and Graphic Design for Turning Wine Into Water and as such is responsible for the overall visual image of the organization and chairs the Arts and Graphic Design Committee.

Karl’s current interests include the development of personal and global consciousness and the creation of a sustainable, compassionate economic system. He also enjoys cooking and collecting wines. His current favorites are the Pinot Noirs of Oregon and the Bourgogne region of France.

Alessandra Simon, Director of Donor Relations

Alessandra Simon serves as the Director of Donor Relations and chairs the Kansas City Events Committee of Turning Wine Into Water.

While attending Marymount International in England, Alessandra spent ten days in Kenya witnessing the living conditions of some of the world’s poorest children. When Turning Wine into Water was formed shortly after the birth of her first child, Alessandra remembered the Kenyan children. That coupled with the recognition of her own child’s need for water, compelled her to help with Turning Wine Into Water’s efforts in solving one of the world’s largest problems.

Peter Troilo, Director of Alcoholic Beverage Industry Relations

Peter Troilo is the Director of Alcoholic Beverage Industry Relations. He also serves as chair of the Alcoholic Industry Relations Committee and as co-chair of the Fairfield County Events Committee.

As a married father of two children, Peter often thinks of other fathers watching their children suffer due to lack of clean water. This motivates him to continue to help with the success of Turning Wine Into Water.

Robert Troilo, Director of Food and Restaurant Industry Relations

As Director of Food and Restaurant Industry Relations for Turning Wine Into Water, Robert Troilo chairs the Food and Restaurant Industry Relations Committee and serves as the food and industry contact for each area event committee. Additionally, Robert is co-chair of the Fairfield County Events Committee.

Robert views the opportunity to contribute his knowledge and talents to Turning Wine Into Water as a privilege and in keeping with his family’s sense of optimism and company mission statement, which reads, “enriching other lives through food and wine.”