Assets and Allies

Board Chair Rich Schaefers

Amid all that’s been going on in the world that impacts grape research, a significant bright spot stands out: the committed leadership of our industry-led nonprofit organization. The election of NGRA Board Directors and officers in late January is an annual reminder of our strongest assets and biggest allies.

NGRA’s 30-member Board of Directors is at full capacity with passionate, science-minded industry representatives from all grape and wine commodity sectors (wine, juice, raisins and table grapes) from all regions across the country. Our Board Directors collectively set direction and ensure funding for, and provide oversight of our research mission. They participate in our three Board meetings each year, plus many are active on and/or lead committees. Every year, a cohort of about one-third of our Board is asked to renew their three-year terms. The Board Directors who were either newly voted-in or renewed their terms in 2025 are:

Regional Representative

  • Northeast Region – John Martini, Anthony Road Wine Company

Commodity Sector Representatives

  • Juice Grape Sector – Mark Amidon, National Grape Cooperative/Welch’s
  • Table Grape Sector – Franka Gabler, California Table Grape Commission

At-Large Representatives

  • Stephanie Bolton, Lodi Winegrape Commission
  • Melissa Hansen, Washington State Wine Commission
  • Allison Jordan, Wine Institute
  • Michael Naito, Allied Grape Growers
  • Jim Trezise, WineAmerica
  • Matt Frank, Trinchero Family Estates (New to the Board)
  • Kevin Judkins, Inland Desert Nursery (New to NGRA and our Board)

NGRA’s officers have no term limits but are asked every year to reconfirm their ability to serve in this highest-level leadership capacity. Officers comprise the core of our nine-member Executive Committee, which meets monthly to set strategy and guide our organization. All of them are Board Directors and many also serve on other committees. It’s a big commitment! So, we understand when an officer needs to pass the torch, as Past Chair Jessica Youngblood (Youngblood Vineyard) did this year. Her gracious step down activated our succession plan to seamlessly continue governance. Effective in 2025, are officers are:

  • Chair – Rich Schaefers, Nuveen Natural Capital
  • Vice Chair – Emily Hodson, Virginia Wine Board (Veritas Vineyard and Winery)
  • Secretary – Chad Vargas, Atlas Vineyard Management (New officer)
  • Treasurer – Dan Martinez, Martinez Orchards
  • Research Chair – Nick Dokoozlian, GALLO

Someone once said, you don’t sit on a Board, you serve on a Board. It’s clear that NGRA’s leaders share that sentiment. All 30 of our Board Directors lead and/or are active in other groups that advance the grape and wine industry. Through their own earned experience and robust networks, they ensure we have our ear to the ground for research needs and can help amplify our industry research needs to others who can help. We’re exceedingly grateful for their time and attention and fortunate to have such well-respected industry representatives in our midst. Huge thanks to all!

Donnell Brown
President