WELCOME :: OPENING SPEAKERS

EMCEE

Chef Ken Frank :: Owner & Executive Chef, LaToque RestaurantKen Frank is a nationally acclaimed celebrity Chef and Owner of La Toque restaurant in The Westin Verasa. Chef Frank is known as Napa Valley’s Truffle Evangelist. LaToque is one of Wine Spectator’s 20 Best Restaurants in America and also a prestigious Michelin Star winner in 2010. Frank has participated with other downtown Chefs to revive and tend the former Copia gardens for growing produce for restaurant seasonal cuisine.

Dr. Ronald Kraft, PhD :: Superintendent & President, Napa Valley CollegeDr. Kraft has more than 20 years of experience in higher education leadership. He earned his doctorate in higher education lead-ership from Capella University in Minnesota with a dissertation on “A Leadership View of Strategic Planning in the Community College.” His master’s degree is in Career and Technical Education with a B.A. in Business both from San Diego State University. He is a graduate of Grossmont Community College in El Cajon. Dr. Kraft has served as the President/CEO of MAAS Companies, a management and consulting company devoted to California Community Colleges; President/CEO of Southern California Uni-versity of Health Sciences, a WASC accredited university in Whittier, and CEO/President of the Alliance for Corporate Education, a pioneering agency of the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges. He was also employed at a community college in Virginia. His roots are in California Community Colleges with a background in teaching, among other positions, and with long service on the governing board of Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. He also has extensive experience on col-lege and community foundations.

Dave Whitmer :: Agricultural Commissioner, Napa CountyDave Whitmer is a Napa County native who has worked with the County of Napa since 1981. He was originally hired as an Agricultural Biologist and worked in many of the department’s programs including pest detection, pest management, quarantine, and pesticide law enforcement prior to promotion to Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in 1987. Whitmer was appointed to fill the Agricultural Commissioner role in 1994. Whitmer has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from California State University – Chico, and is active in the local community with groups, such as Leadership Napa Valley. Internationally, he is involved with the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.

Judi Watkins :: Associate Dean, Napa Valley College Upper Valley CampusJudi Watkins is the Associate Dean for the Upper Valley Campus. She came to Napa Valley College from Chabot-Las Positas Community College District where she was Project Director of the Workplace Learning Resource Center which provided economic program development services to 26 community colleges within the 11 Bay Area counties. The program’s focus was on basic and fundamental workplace skills. Judi has worked for the California Community Colleges for more than 15 years; the emphasis of her work has been in workforce and economic development. Prior to starting her career in education, Judi worked in the apparel industry in production management and design. A former adjunct lecturer in Fashion Illustration at San Francisco State University and Fashion Design at FIDM, her B.A. is from the University of California, Berkeley, and she earned a master’s degree from San Francisco State University.

FEATURED SPEAKER :: MY LESSONS - 20/20 HINDSIGHT IS PERFECT

2013 NAPA VALLEY COLLEGEWine Country Hospitality TUESDAY, MARCH 26TH - 8AM TO 5PM

NVC UPPER VALLEY CAMPUS1088 College Avenue, St. Helena, CA 94574 Symposium

Speaker Bios

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Matt Taylor :: General Farm Manager, Front Porch Farm / Winemaker, Reuling Family VineyardMatt Taylor manages Front Porch Farm and is a winemaking/viticulture consultant for Reuling Family Vineyard/Wines. After graduating from the University of Washington, Matt lived and worked in Spain and then traveled extensively throughout Europe before gaining a degree in Enology & Viticulture from California State University, Fresno. With winemaking and viticulture experience garnered in France (Domaine Dujac), Argentina (Clos de los Siete & San Pedro de Yacochuya), New Zealand (Blake Family), and California (Joseph Swan & Araujo Estate), as well as an extensive knowledge of organic & biodynamic farming, Matt brings enthusiasm and intensity to every position he fills.

David Bos :: Harvest Bos & Bos WineDavid Bos has been in the wine business for over 10 years and has been exposed to all aspects of the industry. David graduated from Hope College with a double major in English and Religion, but found his true passion in organic and biodynamic farming. He has learned much of what he knows today by spending the past 8 harvest with Grgich Hills. As the Vineyard Manager for Grgich Hills, David helped convert all five vineyards (367 acres) to biodynamic and organically certified vineyards. He focused on all aspects of farming allowing him to become well versed in all vineyard operations along with agriculture tourism. This experience, coupled with classes from Napa Valley College, Davis, and studying with some great biodynamic teachers has allowed him to form a solid foundation and teach others about the health, quality and vitality of the farm system. Beyond Grgich, David has grown a vineyard management company since 2009 focusing on small vineyards and farms from Napa to Sacramento to the East Bay which has now become Harvest Bos. Harvest Bos focuses on David’s main passion of rehabilitating and maintaining healthy vineyards and farms. Fruit from some of the vineyards is used in his small wine label Bos Wine, with 2010 being the first vintage.

Marie Bianco :: Agriculture Consultant / Business Advisor, Napa Valley College SBDC & BECMarie has a passion for local sustainable food and is adding a determined voice to the conversation about increasing the amount of local food is available in both the hospitality industry and the local community. She is an exceptional leader with over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in national and international produce markets. Marie is a proven revenue generator in all market conditions, outstanding in relationship building, customer service, maintaining skills, marketing, design, planning.

Linzi Gay :: Manager, Clif Bar & CompanyLinzi Gay studied business at Cal Poly State University and then joined the marketing group at Clif Bar & Company where she worked on many unique and exciting projects. Wanting to move back to her Napa Valley hometown with her husband, she left Clif Bar and worked for several wineries before reconnecting with Gary and Kit in the early stages of Clif Family Winery. She has been with Clif Family Winery since 2007, becoming General Manager in 2009. Linzi’s love of food, wine and organic gardening are all brought together at Clif Family Winery. She has also picked up cycling and joins the weekly group rides at Velo Vino. Linzi also has two kids who keep her very busy!

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Melodie Hilton :: Director of Marketing & PR, Napa Valley Wine Train Melodie L. Hilton is the Director of Marketing and PR for the Napa Valley Wine Train. She is a long-time Napa resident who has spent many years marketing and reporting on the local hospitality industry. Her previous experience includes 20+ years as a print, online, and broadcast journalist. Previously, she worked as a journalism teacher and was involved in many community-oriented projects in the Valley. ML lives with her two children, two dogs, two cats, and a tortoise.

Yuri Soshizaki :: Marketing, Napa Valley Wine Train Yuri Soshizaki works in the Marketing Department at the Wine Train and is responsible for helping with Japanese press visits, travel guides, and tour/travel groups. Yuri was born in Gunma, Japan. After traveling to more than 40 countries, she fell in love with Napa Valley and its famous wines. Her passion for wine has lead her to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust course of study. Once completed, she will have a level 3 (advanced) certification that will place her in the upper level of wine sales service in the United States.

Ryan Neergaard :: PR & Media Coordinator, Napa Valley Wine Train Ryan Neergaard’s father was a minister who moved quite frequently which exposed him to many parts of the world such as, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, Arkansas, and Spain. Ryan came to California and finished his college education at Pacific Union College in 2006, graduating with a Major in Marketing and a Minor in Spanish. He worked in local res-taurants such as Auberge du Soliel, Redd, Domaine Chandon, and La Toque, gaining a rounded understanding of fine dining and high end sales in Napa. His background in restaurant sales and marketing brought him to the Wine Train in 2011 where he has excelled with a mobile campaign that has received two write ups for industry leading implementation of consumer engagement marketing.

FEATURED SPEAKER & TEAM :: GLOBAL DESTINATION MARKETING

FEATURED SPEAKER :: LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW IN HOSPITALITY

Richard Rybicki :: President, Rybicki & AssociatesRichard Rybicki has represented health care, winery, agricultural, transportation, and other industry employers in collective bargaining, arbitration, and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) and the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Rybicki is a contributing editor for The Developing Labor Law (ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law), a widely recognized national labor law publication. He speaks regularly on wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, union/management relations and other labor law issues. He is a past chair of the Sonoma County Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section, a member of the Napa Chamber of Commerce Business Builders Committee, and an advisor on the Napa Valley College Hospitality Programs Advisory Board. He currently teaches Hospitality Law as part of the Napa Valley College Hospitality and Management Program.

PANEL :: SUSTAINABLE AGROTOURISM

PANEL :: SUSTAINABLE AGROTOURISM (CONT...)

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PAIRING MARKETING WITH EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

Randy Martinsen :: Marketing Manager, Grgich Hills EstateRandy Martinsen has consulted with several wineries in Napa and Sonoma assisting in their marketing and leveraging of wine club systems. He has held senior management and officer positions in marketing, information technology, software development, and customer service for multiple companies. Randy also recently held the position of Interim CEO for the Napa Chamber of Commerce for more than six months until a new CEO was found. Most recently, he was the CEO and a Senior Consultant at BudgetWorks® Inc. Randy’s education includes a degree in Finance from BYU and MBA studies at the University of Utah. He is also a graduate from the California Banking School and a graduate of Leadership Napa Valley (Class 25). Randy has been a vintner in Napa since 2002.

Don Shindle :: General Manager, The Westin Verasa NapaWith more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Don Shindle brings a wealth of knowledge, strong leadership, and a passion for luxury hotel operations to his role as general manager of The Westin Verasa Napa. Before moving to Napa, Don pursued his career in hotels throughout his native Canada, including The Algonquin in St. Andrews NB, The Delta Chelsea Inn in Toronto, The St. Eugene Mission Golf Resort in Canbrook, and The Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler. Before his current role, Don served dual roles as General Manager of The Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain in Ontario and Regional Vice President of Intrawest Hospitality Management (IHM), dividing his time among the company’s North American destination resorts. Under his watch, The Westin Verasa Napa was named the 2011 Gold Magellan Award Winner for Hotels and Resorts in the Lobby & Common Space Design category; won the Great Wine Capitals’ Napa Valley 2011 Best of Wine Tourism award in Accommoda-tions; and was honored with the AAA Four Diamond Award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2012, Don was the recipient of the Hospitality/Tourism Professional of the Year presented by The Napa Chamber Community Foundation.

Aphrodite Caserta :: Director of Marketing & Communications, Safari WestSafari West is a world-class destination that provides an authentic African adventure in the heart of California Wine County. Our 400 acres are home to an ongoing celebration of the beauty of the natural world and its inhabitants. Safari West welcomes visitors from around the corner and around the world. They are the only wildlife experience in the area, and the only preserve in the world that combines education, tours, research, and overnight lodging in close proximity to such an inspiring variety of exotic wildlife. As Director of Marketing and Communications, Aphrodite Caserta develops, manages, and coordinates strategic media, corporate partnerships and public relations programs for Safari West Luxury Tent Camp supporting Safari West’s to provide a one of a kind adventure experience for the discerning traveler and the promotion of the reserve as a world class destination and resort. She also collaborates with the Safari West Wildlife Foundation (SWWF) to further Safari West’s mission statement Education, Research and the Propagation of the Species. Aphrodite also assists in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with zoo staff and other conservation/wildlife agencies.

Dan Mishell :: Director of Research, Visit CaliforniaDan Mishell oversees the research, analysis and evaluation of data related to the California travel industry for the state’s tourism marketing agency, Visit California. His research department provides tourism statistics to travel industry businesses, economic development managers, media, legislators and the general public. Dan’s team also informs Visit California’s marketing plans by monitoring industry trends, conducting qualitative and quantitative research, and measuring program effectiveness. Dan is the 2nd Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), a body that provides leadership and education for researchers around the world. He also serves on the research advisory committee for Brand USA. Prior to joining Visit California, Dan managed the research program at LA INC., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau for 11 years. He has a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.

PANEL :: BEST TRENDS & PRACTICES IN ECO-TOURISM

Randy Johnson :: President & CEO, Gateway AdventuresWith Randy Johnson’s career choice as a ski bum abruptly cut short by a knee injury, the convalescing period led him to his current career - running an adventure tour company. Designed to get him to travel the world, Randy discovered he was having so much fun in Napa and Sonoma, why go anywhere else? Bringing together wine, adventure and green practices is his mission, while getting people out of their cars and onto bikes, kayaks, and yes, even on foot, is how they do it.

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PANEL :: KEY STRATEGIES IN SOCIAL MEDIA (CONT...)

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Andrew Healy :: Chief Social Officer, 3 rock marketingAndrew Healy is a native of the south side of Dublin. Born and raised in the village of Kilternan, he has worked in the wine industry on four continents for more than 20 years. Healy is the Founder and Chief Social Officer of 3 rock marketing, a Napa-based company that specializes in social media and online programs. 3 rock marketing prides itself on the practical application of social media. Healy and his team work with clients in the wine and hospitality industry, the non-profit sector, public figures, and representative bodies. Clients include the Napa Valley Destination Council, the Napa Valley Vintners, One World Futbol Project, Melka Wines, and many more.

Shana Ray :: Food, Wine & Social Media ConsultantShana Ray is a Digital Marketing and Social Relations Strategist working with local and national wine, food and technology businesses. She is a born storyteller and is passionate about helping brands tell their story. A social media speaker and digital strategist, Shana is able to get into the minds of customers and connect with them on a personal level. Being an active part of the Sonoma County community, Shana spends her time helping to promote food/wine/music events (and attending them) throughout the Wine Country. She also loves to blog about her adventures in food, wine and marketing.

Kala Philo :: Founder, SpaciousEconomy MediaKala Philo founded SpaciousEconomy media to provide video production and online marketing services to the sustainability sec-tor. SpaciousEconomy regularly initiates projects, such as the current homegrown project FarmShorts, to support local business, sustainable agriculture and the arts. Having lived most of her life in the entrepreneurial hotbeds of Austin and Northern California, Kala is a marketer and web video entrepreneur, experienced in all aspects of video production, web distribution and integration with overall marketing strategy. Entrepreneur, artist and video geek, Kala brings a unique blend of creative, technical and business acumen to her projects. Kala is an active member of Leadership Santa Rosa Class XXVIII, Slow Money Northern California, the ShareExchange / Local Living Economy Center, and she serves on the board of the nationally recognized Imaginists Theater Col-lective. She is a member of the HUB Bay Area, an entrepreneurial-minded, global co-working franchise designed to facilitate the creation of sustainable impact through collaboration.

Teresa Love O’Bannon :: Hospitality Consultant / Business Advisor, Napa Valley College SBDC & BECTeresa O’Bannon is a Hospitality Consultant, as well as a Business Advisor for the Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Napa Valley College. As an academic, Teresa taught Tourism and Special Events at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (CA) and Radford Uni-versity (VA). She has been involved in ecotourism enterprises since 1997, when she traveled to Uganda, East Africa to work on a tourism development project.

James Marshall Berry :: CEO, Wine & the WebJames Marshall Berry has spent the last 15 years immersed in technology, as Director of Internet Services of Devon Publishing Group (Portal Publications) in Marin County, followed by a year as Network Administrator at Winery Exchange in Novato. Most recently, he was Director of Technology for Three House Multimedia, providing guidance and vision for all the organizations technological functions, including the Sonoma Sun newspaper, radio station KSVY, SVTV Comcast 27 and all related websites.In 2008, James founded JMB Web Consulting in Sonoma Valley. The company maintains numerous websites for clients throughout Sonoma and beyond. James consults with many small businesses and wineries on how best to leverage Social Media and the Web 2.0 world for their brands, and recently spoke on the subject at Napa Valley College, WITS (Wine Industry Technology Symposium) and with the North Bay MAC Users Group. Most recently, James founded Wine and the Web, a culmination of a two-year vision to bring an affordable and more importantly, a competitive set of tools to small wineries that level the online playing field. James is also a home winemaker, a published writer and musician and currently plays in a classic rock tribute act.

PANEL :: KEY STRATEGIES IN SOCIAL MEDIA

Heather Piazza :: Marketing Consultant, Piazza Marketing / Marketing Advisor, Napa Valley College SBDC & BECHeather Piazza is a Marketing Strategist, Coach, Trainer, and Speaker with over a decade’s worth of experience creating positive reputations, boosting brand awareness, and building critical relationships. Heather’s background in marketing, communications, product/project management, and customer service gives her a unique and well-rounded perspective in crafting marketing campaigns that are thoughtful, balanced, and consistent. As the Principal and Head Marketing Consultant of Piazza Marketing Concepts, Heather specializes in digital marketing and social media. Heather is also an Adjunct Instructor at Napa Valley College (NVC), as well as a Marketing Advisor at NVC’s Small Business Development Center and the Business & Entrepreneurship Center. As she enjoys giving back to the community, in 2012, she was the Marketing Chair for Wine Women & Shoes Napa Valley benefiting an amazing non-profit, Napa Emergency Women’s Services (NEWS).

John Williams :: Owner, Frog’s Leap WineryNow entering their 30th year of production, Frog’s Leap Winery was eco-conscious long before the word “sustainable” entered our daily vocabulary. But more importantly, the place produces seriously good wine. They were Napa’s first winery with certified organically grown grapes and the first California winery with a LEED certified building. John employs “old school” techniques to sustainably coax exceptional quality from his grapes. He uses compost and cover crops to organically enrich the vineyards, and dry farming techniques to conserve 64,000 gallons of water each year and reduce soil erosion. In addition, solar power provides 100% of the energy used to run the entire business. John believes Frog’s Leap’s production methods are not just good environmental stewardship but also help him to create great wines noted for their finesse, restraint and complexity.

FEATURED SPEAKER :: SUSTAINABLE FARMING SURE, BUT WHY?

Jahniah McGill :: Napa County Department of Planning, Building & Environmental ServicesJahniah McGill is a Senior Environmental Health Specialist with the Napa County Environmental Health Division of Planning, Building, Engineering, and Environmental Services. She attended the University of California, Riverside and holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology. Jahniah also holds a Master’s in Public Health from Walden University. She specializes in food, water, recreational health, mobile food facilities, plan check, temporary event, cottage food, and mobile home park compliance. Jahniah enjoys horseback riding and long walks in the park.

Mike Cromwell :: Vintage High School Instructor & Food Council MemberMike Cromwell has worked in the hospitality industry for most of his life. He was a restaurant owner from 1982 to 2000. From 2000 to 2003, Cromwell was a Brewpub Manager. Since 2003, Cromwell has spent his time teaching Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism to students at Vintage High School in Napa. Cromwell currently serves as Vice-Chair of Napa County’s Local Food Advisory Council. Over the last few years, Cromwell has greatly contributed to numerous events and workshops sponsored by Napa Valley College’s Business & Entrepreneurship Center, Youth Entrepreneurship Program, and Hospitality Program.

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PANEL :: HOSPITALITY REGULATIONS & COLLABORATIONS

Kim Withrow :: Napa County Department of Planning, Building & Environmental ServicesKim Withrow is a Senior Environmental Health Specialist with the Napa County Department of Planning Building and Environmen-tal Services. Kim has worked in various programs including Land Use, Consumer Protection and Pollution Prevention during her 11 years of service with Napa County. Most recently she has been tasked with reviewing other agency projects (e.g. use permit applications, lot line adjustments, subdivisions, design review, etc.) that are referred from other Departments and jurisdictions for compliance with Environmental Health programs. Kim moved from South Lake Tahoe to the beautiful wine country to attend So-noma State University. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies, she worked for the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and Mendocino County Environmental Management Department before taking a position with Napa County.

Sandy Elles :: Executive Director, Napa County Farm BureauSandy Elles has been the Executive Director for the Napa County Farm Bureau since 2001. Sandy is a retired professional mariner, who worked for 22 years with the Blue & Gold Fleet on the San Francisco Bay, serving most recently as Vice President of Government Ferry Contracts and as Senior Captain. She was previously the Mayor and a Council Member for the City of Cotati from 1990-1998. Sandy graduated from American University, in Washington, DC with a BA in Political Science and Rutgers University with a BA in Urban Planning. Her professional affiliations include the Jack L Davies Ag Land Preservation Fund as the Secretary/Treasurer, a Napa Chamber of Commerce Board Member, and as a Member of California Women in Agriculture, the Napa Land Trust, the American Farmland Trust, and the Sierra Club. Some of her awards include the Golden State Hall of Fame Award from the California Farm Bureau Federation as the best County Farm Bureau in the state in the inaugural year of 2009 and again in 2010 and the California Farm Bureau Federation’s County of the Year Award – 2009-2012. Sandy is married to Captain Chuck Elles, and has twin 25-year-old daughters.

Charlie Monahan :: Program Coordinator, NVC Business & Entrepreneurship CenterCharlie is a former restaurant owner, corporate trainer and operations manager with over 25 years in the food service industry. He has enjoyed a variety of roles within restaurant operations including new product development, new store openings (40+), management training and employee training programs. He has been a business coach and advisor since 2000, holding a variety of positions including Program Coordinator of the Napa Valley College Hospitality Institute, Interim Director of the Napa Valley College Small Business Development Center and is currently the Program Coordinator of the Business and Entrepreneurship Center at Napa Valley College.