Officers and Board Directors Elected
SAN FRANCISCO – Wine Institute, the public policy advocacy association representing nearly 1,000 California wineries, announced the election of its 2013-2014 Board Chairman, Chris Fehrnstrom, chief marketing officer, Constellation Brands' Wine & Spirits Division. Constellation's California brands include Robert Mondavi Winery, Clos du Bois, Woodbridge, Ravenswood, Simi, Franciscan Estate and Wild Horse. The election was held at Wine Institute's 79th Annual Meeting of Members in Santa Barbara where other board officers elected included: Carolyn Wente of Wente Family Estates in Livermore, first vice chairman; Greg Coleman of E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, second vice chairman; Margie Healy of Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, treasurer; and Steve Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in San Jose, secretary. Robert P. (Bobby) Koch is president and CEO of Wine Institute.
"We will continue supporting Wine Institute's work with policymakers and regulators in communicating our industry's significant contributions to the economic vitality of California and U.S., and keep our members informed of the changing regulatory landscape," said Fehrnstrom. "Our emphasis will remain on eliminating punitive taxes and fees, reducing trade barriers both here and abroad, expanding wine exports, working on immigration reform, and promoting adoption of socially and environmentally responsible winegrowing and winemaking."
Fehrnstrom has been with Constellation since 2002, first serving as senior vice president of marketing and then president for the company's luxury division, Icon Estates. He then became president of Constellation's super-premium business before advancing to chief marketing officer for Constellation Brands worldwide in 2009. Prior to joining the company, Fehrnstrom held key roles at the former Wine.com as well as Domaine Chandon and E. & J. Gallo Winery.
The Wine Institute membership also elected new district- and at-large directors and alternates. District directors and their alternates were elected on a one-member-one-vote basis in each district, following nominations by regional winery associations. They are:
DISTRICT |
DIRECTOR |
ALTERNATE |
Northern: |
Kaj Ahlmann |
Vacant |
Sonoma:
|
Julie Pedroncelli St. John |
Donald Patz
|
Napa:
|
Dennis Cakebread |
Hailey Trefethen |
San Francisco Bay: |
William Cooper |
Bill Murphy |
Monterey Bay: |
Cheryl Indelicato |
Scott Scheid |
Central Coast: |
Gary Eberle |
Justin Baldwin Vacant |
Southern: |
Les Linkogle |
Alexander McGeary |
Sierra: |
Steven Millier |
Stewart Perry |
Northern Interior: |
David Lucas, |
David Phillips |
Southern Interior: |
Michael Blaylock |
William Nakata |
All members elected 20 at-large directors who had been nominated by the Institute's Finance and Administration Committee. Alternates were chosen by at-large directors.
AT-LARGE DIRECTOR |
ALTERNATE |
Giancarlo Bianchetti |
Holly Killion |
James Coleman |
Gregory Coleman |
Cindy DeVries |
Jorge Lyng |
Debra Dommen |
John Grant |
Chris Fehrnstrom |
James Finkle |
John Franzia, Jr. |
Daniel Leonard |
Joseph Franzia |
Fredrick Irwin, Jr. |
Matthew Gallo |
Stephanie Gallo |
Tobin Ginter |
Carmen Castaldi |
Margie Healy |
Daniel Baker |
Chris Indelicato |
Jolene Yee |
Sandra LeDrew |
Victoria Snyder |
Steven Lohr |
Thomas Selfridge |
James O’Malley |
Donald McClellan |
John Sutton |
Laurie Jones |
Robert Torkelson |
Ronald Larson |
Roger Trinchero |
Erik Lawrence |
Brian Vos |
Jeff Dubiel |
Carolyn Wente |
Christine Wente |
Jay Wright |
Michael Walker |
Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy association for California wineries and affiliated businesses with members that account for 95 percent of California wine production and 85 percent of U.S. wine production. Based in San Francisco, with offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., six regions across the U.S. and 15 foreign countries, Wine Institute is guided by 80 vintners who are members and alternates of an active board of directors. The board elects the chairman and officers on an annual basis.
# # #
Editors: Photo available of Chris Fehrnstrom upon request or by downloading online at: https://www.box.com/s/i69nlule8t07rli2g2z6.
Journalists requiring more information should contact communications@wineinstitute.org
