Board
Our Board and staff bring extensive experience, knowledge, and passion to serve the Washington wine industry.
Their focus is to build and maintain the quality and reputation of the Washington wine industry locally, nationally, and globally.
We bring the industry together by focusing on identified needs— like scholarships and special projects – and serve as an effective fundraising vehicle to achieve those goals.
Carol Munro, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and former Foundation Board member
Board Members
Andrew Gerow
Director
Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Andrew moved out to Washington state in 2017 after graduating high school to pursue a degree in Viticulture & Enology at Washington State University. Throughout his education, he worked in all facets of the wine industry, from vineyards to wineries and tasting rooms, and ultimately awarded the Wine Spectator Student of the Year scholarship in 2020. As graduation was on the horizon, the pandemic upended ambitions to travel and work in wineries around the world. With the new found uncertainty and free time, he partnered with his friends Gabriel Crowell and Matthew Doutney to start making wine – marking the beginning of Tirriddis.
Charlie Lybecker
Director
Charlie is the head winemaker at Cairdeas Winery, where he specializes in crafting Rhone-inspired wines from Washington’s unique terroir. His journey into winemaking began with a shared passion for wine and exploration alongside his wife, Lacey. What better way to connect than through wine tasting and discovering new flavors together?
Charlie’s curiosity about the art and science of winemaking—ranging from vineyard practices to barrel aging, yeast fermentation, and innovative techniques—fuels his dedication to creating exceptional wines.
Claire Mitchell
Director
Claire Mitchell is an attorney at Foster Garvey PC where she represents wineries and other beverage alcohol and hospitality businesses on a wide range of state and federal regulatory and licensing matters. Her clients include importers, producers, restaurants, hotel operators, alcohol brand owners, and venue concessionaires. She routinely liaises with representatives from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Claire has been an advocate for the industry for more than a decade.
Jeremy Camden
Director
Jeremy Camden, Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager, and Regional Lead at Bank of America was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Washington Wine Industry Foundation. The Foundation was founded in 2001 to focus on wine industry needs and challenges. Camden joins the Board of wine industry professionals representing growers, vintners and associated companies interested in working with the only philanthropic organization focused solely on the needs of the wine industry. Camden shared that, “I have a passion for wine and work to connect with vintners and growers to learn their business and how they make an impact. Joining the Foundation’s Board allows me to combine my financial background and personal passion to work alongside new and old contacts ensuring the next generation of wine industry professionals have the tools for success.” Camden has a business administration degree from Washington State University majoring in finance. Over the past 15+ years, he has worked for Bank of America, J.P. Morgan and Union Bank with commercial industries including agriculture, non-profits, public and private universities, and technology.
Ryan Hill
Director
Ryan Hill is the VP of Sales for RM Wineries and has been in the Washington State Wine Industry since 2014. Ryan joined RM Wineries in 2016 and became their exclusive Bulk Wine Salesman, one of the state’s first positions of its kind. He has an immense passion for the Washington State Wine Industry and aims to use his domestic and international relationships to further educate and promote our state’s industry. Ryan lives in East Wenatchee with his wife, Courtney, and his two daughters, Skylar and Zoey.
Catherine Jones
Chair
Catherine Jones is a Vit/Specialty Crop Consultant for Wilbur Ellis. An active member in the Washington wine industry, Catherine is the Vice President of the Washington State Grape Society, and is the Grape Representative for the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration. She has received her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, and Masters of Science in Soil Science, all from Washington State University.
Cory Brown
Treasurer/Secretary
Cory Brown has served as the CFO of Long Shadows Winery since 2016 and has over 20 years of wine industry finance & operations experience. He began his career as founder and CEO of a natural products manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer, which he eventually sold. Since then, he has managed at a variety of small, but fast-growing companies as well as CFO/COO consulting.
Adam Ramirez
Director
Adam Ramirez is the president of Coventry Vale Winery where he has worked in various capacities since 2016. Prior to his time in the wine industry, Ramirez was a business and financial analyst, utilizing his B.B.A. in Accounting and Operations Technology Management from the University of Portland.
Craig Pacheco
Vice Chair
Craig Pacheco is an attorney and wine business consultant with more than fifteen years of alcohol beverage industry experience on both the business and legal sides of the industry. He has advised numerous Washington wineries and winegrowers on corporate transactions, supply and distribution agreements and other commercial contracts, licensing, regulatory approvals, and compliance matters. Craig earned his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. from New York University School of Law, and founded VIN-STAR Consulting in 2023.
Bill Shibley
Director
Bill Shibley recently joined Community First Bank in the Tri-Cities to help develop their ag lending program and build the portfolio. He has over 30 years experience in agriculture, mostly in banking and management. After graduating with a BS in agricultural and resource economics from Oregon State in 1989, he worked for John Deere as a factory representative. He then joined Northwest Farm Credit Services in 1992 and served in a variety of roles including Wine Industry Team Leader and Regional Vice President. In 2016 he moved to CHS-Connell Grain to be the General Manager and then to Harvest Fresh Produce in 2017 serving as General Manager. He also worked as a Commercial/Agricultural Agent with Basin Pacific, before returning to Ag Banking. Bill has served as the leader of both the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pasco Chamber of Commerce and as Club Leader for Badger Mtn. 4-H Club. He lives in West Richland with his wife Kim.
Paul Champoux
Director
WWIF Director Paul Champoux grew up in the hop yards of the Yakima Valley on his family’s farm. In 1979, after attending Seattle University to study Business Management, he started his career as Vineyard Manager for Ste. Michelle Vineyard. Paul was instrumental in the installation of 2,300 acres of wine grapes for Ste. Michelle. From 1989 to 1996, Paul managed other vineyards until he and his wife, Judy, purchased the vines now called Champoux Vineyards. Paul was on the Board of Directors of WAWGG for nine years and Chairman of the Board for three years. Paul has been a part of WWIF’s Board of Directors since its inception and is also Chairman of the Board of the Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers. Paul and his wife, live on their vineyard in Alderdale, WA.
Roger Gamache
Director
Formerly co-owner of Gamache Vineyard, Roger Gamache is a fourth generation family farmer. Roger grew hops and juice grapes in the Yakima Valley until 1981. The following year, Roger and his brother Bob began wine grape growing, and in 2002 they started making wine as Gamache Vintners. In addition to his role as managing partner of the winery and training the 5th generation in the family business, Roger is the former chairman of the WWIF, Washington Winegrowers, Winegrape Growers of America, and Landowners Water Association. Roger is the father of three girls, and resides in Eastern Washington.