Staff
Donnell Brown
Officers
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.
Vice 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.
Secretary
Emily Hodson
Virginia Wine Board (Veritas Vineyard and Winery)
Virginia
Emily is Lead 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.
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
Tony Stephen
American Vineyard Foundation (Scheid Family Wines)
California
Tony serves as Chairman of the Board of NGRA member-organization the American Vineyard Foundation and is Chief Sales Officer at Scheid Family Wines in Monterey, CA. He holds a B.S. in Viticulture from UC Davis. Tony and his wife, Nancy Walker, are proprietors of Stephen & Walker Winery, based in Healdsburg.
Regional Representatives
Northeast Region
John Martini
Anthony Road Wine Company
New York
California
Keith Striegler
E. & J. Gallo Winery
California
Southeast Region
Emily Hodson
Virginia Wine Board (Veritas Vineyard & Winery)
Virginia
Southwest Region
Andrew Post
Arkansas Wine Producers Council (Post Winery)
Arkansas
Midwest Region
Jessica Youngblood
Youngblood Vineyard
Michigan
Commodity Representatives
Wine Grapes
Rich Schaefers
Silverado Premium Properties
California
Table Grapes
Franka Gabler
California Table Grape Commission
California
Rootstock/Nursery
Dan Martinez
Martinez Orchards
California
Vinifera Species
Vicky Scharlau
Washington Winegrowers
Washington
At-Large Representatives
Stephanie Bolton
Lodi Winegrape Commission
California
Melissa Hansen
Washington State Wine Commission
Washington
Vice Chair
Allison Jordan
Wine Institute
California
Anji Perry
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
California
Jason Smith
Valley Farm Management
California
Past Chair
Tony Stephen
American Vineyard Foundation (Scheid Family Wines)
California
Science Advisory Council
Sally Schneider
Bruce Reisch
