Denise Lucero

Denise has always been captivated by the beauty of orchids. After returning to her native California, she attended her first orchid show, where she was amazed by the incredible diversity of these flowers. Inspired, she joined the Napa Valley Orchid Society and found a warm, welcoming community of passionate growers who generously shared their knowledge. With their encouragement, she embarked on her own journey as an orchid grower.

Eager to deepen her understanding, Denise attended as many regional orchid events as possible. While at Speakers Day at the California Sierra Nevada Judging Center, she learned about the upcoming American Orchid Society (AOS) Fall Members Meeting in Reno, Nevada. Excited to connect with the broader orchid community, she decided to attend. There, she joined the AOS Affiliated Societies Committee and took on the role of writing The AOS Corner, the committee’s newsletter for affiliates. She is now also an active member of the AOS judging community and currently serves as Treasurer for the California Sierra Nevada Judging Center.

Professionally, Denise brings extensive administrative experience from the maritime industry, having spent years working at an international shipping terminal in the Port of Oakland. Now serving her second term as an AOS Trustee, she looks forward to contributing to the organization’s mission and goals.