Katie Nelson, Dennis Devitt, Bill Shibley, and Eileen Votteler have been elected to the Washington Wine Industry Foundation Board of Directors.
Katie Nelson is Senior Director of Winemaking for Columbia Crest, a Ste. Michelle Wine Estates winery. She received her B.S. in chemistry with an enology emphasis from Sonoma State University and previously worked for K Vintners-Charles Smith Wines, Wines of Substance, and Snoqualmie Winery.
Dennis Devitt is Washington’s first statewide viticulturist for Wilbur-Ellis. After receiving his B.S. from Fresno State University, and an M.S. from Sonoma State University, he managed vineyards within California for over 25 years, most with Gallo.
Bill Shibley served on the Foundation Board previously and returned. Bill recently joined Basin Pacific Insurance as a Commercial/Agricultural Agent after 30 years in banking. He has a B.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Oregon State and an MBA from Nova Southeastern. He has worked for Northwest Farm Credit Services in various roles and as General Manager of CHS Connell Grain.
Eileen Votteler is Director of Community Relations at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, working with local communities in Washington and Oregon. Eileen has served as Director of Winery Experiences overseeing events, wine education, and concert series; Director of Guest Services for Washington and Oregon properties; and managed charitable contributions. She serves on the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce and Woodinville Wine Country Association.
Officers for 2019 includes: Jerry Judkins-Smith of Inland Desert Nursery as Chair; Corina Davis of Merrill Lynch as Vice Chair; and Jordon McEntire of Bleyhl Co-Op as Secretary/Treasurer.
The Board includes: Brian Carter of Brian Carter Cellars; Paul Champoux of Lady Hawk Vineyard; Roger Gamache of Gamache Ag Services/Gamache Vintners; Joe Hattrup of Hattrup Farms and Elephant Mountain Vineyards; Stephanie Meier of Stoel Rives; Jamie Peha of Peha Promotions; Simon Siegl of Coefficient Consulting; Sherri Swingle, Consultant & Strategist; and JJ Williams of Kiona Vineyards and Winery.
Two board members retired including Mark Wheeler of Saddle Mountain Vineyards and Carol Munro of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.
