Staff
Donnell Brown
Officers
Chair
Rich Schaefers
Nuveen Natural Capital
California
As Vice President of Viticulture at Nuveen, Dr. Schaefers protects vineyard investments through sound, science-based management practices. He is active in the grape and wine research community, with service on the Board of the American Vineyard Foundation, a commissioner with the Sonoma County Winegrowers and is a past president of the Mendocino Winegrape Commmission.
Vice Chair
Emily Hodson
Virginia Wine Board (Veritas Vineyard and Winery)
Virginia
Emily is head winemaker at her family business in Afton, VA. Her philosophy involves trying to achieve natural, balanced expression of the fruit--especially true Virginia-grown varieties--by focusing on attention to detail and cultural practices. She has served as the Virginia Wine Board's representative to NGRA since 2019 and founded its Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange.
Secretary
Chad Vargas
Atlas Vineyard Management and Advantage Vines Nursery
Oregon
In 2017, Chad co-founded NewGen Vineyard Services, followed by the establishment of Advantage Vines Nursery in 2018. These ventures allowed him to gain a unique perspective on the vine stock supply chain, both as a customer and a supplier. In 2023, Atlas Vineyard Management acquired both companies, and Chad now leads the operations of Advantage Vines Nursery.
Treasurer
Dan Martinez
Martinez Orchards
California
Dan is President of Martinez Orchards and co-owner and CFO of Berryessa Gap Vineyards. Dan graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering. He also serves on the California Fruit Tree, Nut Tree and Grapevine Improvement Advisory Board and Board of the Grape Rootstock Improvement Commission, and is a former mayor of Winters, CA, where his family businesses are based.
Past Chair
Jessica Youngblood
Youngblood Vineyard
Michigan
Though Jessica works as Vineyard Manager at her family winery in metro Detroit, she has been very involved in the advocacy of the grape and wine industry in Michigan and on a national level. She was appointed in 2022 by Governor Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, served for two terms as a Board member of the Michigan Wine Collaborative and chaired its Cold Climate Grapes Committee.
Regional Representatives
Northeast Region
John Martini
Anthony Road Wine Company
New York
California
Keith Striegler
E. & J. Gallo Winery
California
secretary, Northwest Region
Chad Vargas
Atlas Vineyard Management
Oregon
Vice chair, Southeast Region
Emily Hodson
Virginia Wine Board (Veritas Vineyard & Winery)
Virginia
Past Chair, Midwest Region
Jessica Youngblood
Youngblood Vineyard
Michigan
Commodity Representatives
board chair, Wine Grapes
Rich Schaefers
Silverado Premium Properties
California
Table Grapes
Franka Gabler
California Table Grape Commission
California
Rootstock/Nursery
Dustin Hooper
Sunridge Nurseries
California
At-Large Representatives
Stephanie Bolton
Lodi Winegrape Commission
California
Natalie Collins
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California
Research Chair
Nick Dokoozlian
E. & J. Gallo Winery
California
Melissa Hansen
Washington State Wine Commission
Washington
Randy Heinzen
Vineyard Professional Services
California
Allison Jordan
Wine Institute
California
treasurer
Dan Martinez
Martinez Orchards
California
Anji Perry
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
California
Tony Stephen
American Vineyard Foundation (Scheid Family Wines)
California
Jim Trezise
WineAmerica
Washington, DC
Science Advisory Council
Sally Schneider
Bruce Reisch
