NAPA VALLEY GRAPEGROWERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Grower Advocacy Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Development Committee
- Member of the Executive Committee
Role: Development Committee
Napa native, Dave Whitmer retired from the County of Napa in 2013 after 33 years of service - the last 20 years as the Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. Dave attended Napa schools including Napa High School and Napa Valley College where he received his Associate of Arts degree before transferring to CSU Long Beach and eventually CSU Chico, graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences. In retirement, Dave is spending quality time with Loie, his wife of 42 years and doing some traveling, both domestic and international. He is passionate about working to make a difference in our community and in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, is serving as a Napa County Planning Commissioner and also on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Community Foundation.
Erin Bright (Wilson) Russell was born in Napa on a ranch in the southeast part of the County, where her family continues to grow wine grapes for several highly-regarded wine brands. When Erin was hired as Director of Sales and Marketing for Dean and DeLuca in St. Helena she developed and strengthened relationships throughout the Valley, even co-hosting a cooking and lifestyle pilot focused on local farms and purveyors. Later, as her life developed with a husband and children, Erin turned to community service and began her role as Program Manager for Agriculture in the Classroom with the Napa County Farm Bureau. Erin has since applied her background in marketing, design, production and media to effectively direct a number of comprehensive marketing projects for organizations such as the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Napa Valley Education Foundation and NapaLearns. Erin also had the honor to serve as Manager of Regional Fundraising and Communications for successful State Assembly and Senate campaigns for California State Senator Bill Dodd, Third Senate District representative. When Erin is not in the office, you will find her riding horses, reading trade journals, hiking, gardening and cooking delicious meals for friends and family
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Oakville Building Committee
Garrett Buckland grew up raising cattle and growing grapes in the Napa Valley, working for his father's business, Buckland Vineyard Management. Garrett continued working with his father, developing and managing vineyards across Napa, Sonoma, and El Dorado counties until completing UC Davis, where he received a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology. After graduation, Garrett went to work with Steve Matthiasson and started Premiere Viticulture, a vineyard consulting company based in Napa. Garrett is formerly a consulting winemaker. working with over 15,000 cases of ultra-premium wines, past President of the Napa Viticultural Technical Group, and past Conference Chair of the Association of Applied IPM ecologists.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Development Committee
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Partner at Piña Vineyard Management
Justin Leigon became a partner at Piña Vineyard Management in 2022 after several years acting as Head Viticulturist. A proud husband and father of three, the family-founded company has been a perfect fit for his skills and aspirations. Currently, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of high-end winegrape farming and is involved in vineyard development with Pina. After beginning his career in wine production, Leigon attended the University of California, Davis where he received his B.S. in Viticulture and Enology. In 2006, Leigon spent time abroad in Australia learning about global wine styles. Upon returning, he honed his skills in cellars around the Napa Valley. He is passionate about working with both winemaking and vineyard teams to produce ultra-premium quality wines by using minimal inputs and targeting key aspects of winegrape development. Leigon is involved in community outreach and is an advocate for ag education.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Development Committee
- Vice Chair of the Development Committee
- Vice Chair of the Executive Committee
- Vice Chair of the Governance Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Governance Committee
- Onsyko, Chair
- Yount Mill Vineyards and Napa Wine Co. Secretary of the Board
Kendall, a fifth generation grapegrower in Napa Valley, is the Business Manager for Yount Mill Vineyards and Napa Wine Company. Managing over 15 varieties spread across 600 acres, her family takes pride in producing three distinct brands, Ghost Block, Oakville Winery, and Elizabeth Rose, from their organically certified vineyards. She holds an MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University and serves on the Marketing & Communications and Industry Issues committees.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee
- Member of the Development Committee
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Governance Committee
- Vice Chair of the Development Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Oakville Building Committee
- Vice Chair / Viticulture & Environmental Stewardship Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Development Committee
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Business Executive
- Chairman of Finance & Audit Committee
Meaghan Qian-Fu Becker is a wine business executive based in Napa, California. Meaghan began her career in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and eventually moved to San Francisco for a Strategy role in Silicon Valley after receiving her MBA at Harvard Business School. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for wine, moved to Napa and joined the wine business. She was most recently General Manager at Quintessa, an estate winery in the heart of Napa Valley and Publisher at JamesSuckling.com, overseeing all business and operational matters for the internationally renowned wine critic. She recently founded her management consulting practice In Vino Veritas LLC, focused on supporting winery clients in their path to growth. Currently she serves as Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee and is a partner, along with her husband, in Realm Cellars.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee
- Member of the Governance Committee
Job Titles:
- Industry & Community Relations Director
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Development Committee
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Governance Committee
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Development Committee
Suzanne Groth graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history. Throughout high school in St. Helena and during summer breaks from college, Suzanne helped out around the winery. After deciding on a career in wine, Suzanne spent four years with the Henry Wine Group, a California wine distributor, selling fine wine to restaurants and retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area. She says, "It was only after selling other people's wine that I was able to appreciate how very special Groth Vineyards was." She returned to the family business in 1998, working in sales, public relations and marketing. In 2017, she became President and CEO. Painting is Suzanne's right-brain passion. Inspired by the vineyards and natural beauty of Oakville, she has plenty of subject matter for her landscapes and farming vignettes.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair
- Vice Chair of Finance & Audit Committee
Tom Davies has always loved wine, and even hosted wine dinners with friends when he was in college. A native of Palm Springs, California, Tom graduated from Chico State University in 1979 with a degree in Business Manageme nt. He was so committed to getting into the wine business, he slept in a tent at the State Park in the Napa Valley to save money while searching for work. Impressed with his attitude and enthusiasm, Dario Sattui hired him in the summer of 1980 at $5 an hour to work in V. Sattui Winery's tasting room and cellar. Tom was among the first 10 employees hired at V. Sattui. His great business sense and knowledge of the wine industry propelled him to the top where he now serves as President and Part-Owner. Tom served as co-Chair of NVG's annual Harvest STOMP fundraiser in 2015.