Heidi Scheid, Chair
Scheid Vineyards

Emma Swain, Immediate Past Chair
St. Supery Vineyards & Winery

Craig Ledbetter, Vice Chair
Vino Farms, LLC

Dale Stratton, Second Vice Chair
Constellation Brands

Shawn Byrnes, Treasurer
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Hugh Tietjen, Secretary
Wine Communications Group

Xavier Barlier
Maisons Marques & Domaines/Roederer Estate

Danny Brager
Nielsen

Dennis Cakebread
Cakebread Cellars

Mel Dick
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Jerry Douglas
Biltmore Estate Wine Company

Sam Filler
New York Wine & Grape Foundation

Ray Herrmann
Breakthru Beverage Group

Michael Mondavi
Folio Fine Wine Partners

Michaela Rodeno
Villa Ragazzi

E. Lloyd Sobel, Alternate for Ray Herrmann
Breakthru Beverage Group

Adam Strum
Wine Enthusiast Companies

Steve Burns, President

Steve Burns was born in Germany and as is typical for an “army brat” he lived all over the world (Japan, Philippines and Washington DC) before his family finally settled in Northern California. He attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo because of the schools legendary “Learn by doing” philosophy. With degrees in Agricultural Business Management and Animal Science he entered the world of agriculture as the Northwest Regional Manager for the American Angus Association, coordinating association activities in 11 western states. From 1984 to 1989, Burns was special assistant to Governor George Deukmejian, participating in California’s expansion in opening trade and investment offices around the world. Following his stint in public service, Burns began a career in the wine business in 1990 as the International Marketing Manager at the Wine Institute.

Burns moved from the Golden State up to the Pacific Northwest in 1996 to become the Executive Director of the Washington Wine Commission, serving from 1996-2004. During his tenure, Burns started America’s first Wine Tourism Taskforce that resulted in unprecedented cooperation between the Evergreen states two largest industries, which continues today.

In 2004, he created O’Donnell Lane L.L.C., marketing, public relations and strategic planning firm that specializes in association re-alignment as well as board development and management. A selection of current and previous clients includes the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau, Sonoma County Vintners, The California Wine Institute, the British Columbia Wine Institute, San Luis Obispo Wineries Association, the Oregon Wine Board and the Yakima Valley Wineries Association. O’donnell lane L.L.C. is based in Sonoma County, California USA. In November of 2017, Burns became the second ever president of the Wine Market Council – an association that conducts research on US wine consumers.

Jennifer Pagano, Director of Research

Jennifer Pagano is the Wine Market Council’s Director of Research, where she conducts and manages the council’s wine industry-focused research projects. Her experience as a researcher spans the worlds of wine, food, high technology, and consumer products. She has worked with Merrill Research, The BRS Group, and The Institute for the Future. Jennifer’s career is anchored in the food industry from professional baking, to designing and producing conferences for the American Institute of Wine & Food where she served as Director of Programs. She has a degree in Public Policy from Stanford University, and is currently working on her master’s degree in Food Studies at the University of the Pacific.

For media inquiries, please reach out to Sherri Fidel at admin@winemarketcouncil.com