Board and Staff

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 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 is a corporate attorney with Stoel Rives LLP. Craig has more than ten years of alcohol beverage industry experience on both the business and legal sides of the industry – experience that guides his counsel to alcohol beverage and hospitality industry clients on corporate transactions, distribution agreements and other commercial contracts, licensing, regulatory approvals, and compliance matters. Craig received his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. from New York University School of Law.

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.

 Stephanie Meier is senior corporate counsel for alcohol at Amazon. She provides advice and support to Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, and other teams on all things alcohol. Before joining Amazon, Stephanie was a partner at Stoel Rives LLP in Seattle, representing breweries, wineries, distilleries, and alcohol retailers on regulatory, corporate, marketing, and commercial matters. Stephanie is a Seattle native, and graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla and Seattle University School of Law.

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.

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 5^th 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.

With more than 20 years of experience as a marketing specialist, event strategist and fundraising consultant, Sherri Swingle brings her expertise in turning great ideas and projects into successful and profitable endeavors. Sherri focuses on establishing relationships and implementing strategic change. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director for Northwest Wine Benefit Foundation, producing the nationally recognized Auction of Washington Wines — a series of events promoting Washington wines and raising funds for area beneficiaries. Previous clients and partners include Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Washington State University, Savor the Central Coast Food and Wine Festival (Visit San Luis Obispo.)

Since 2001, Vicky Scharlau has served as Executive Director of the Washington Wine Industry Foundation which was created to be the ‘Community Foundation’ of the wine industry. Scharlau has nearly 40 years of experience developing and managing organizations, projects and programs across the U.S. and Mexico. Her skills include non-profit association and project management, non-profit board training, facilitation, strategic planning, organization and project budgeting, grant writing and managing, and communications. She has demonstrated an ability to implement projects and programs using sound and effective management practices, on time and on budget. Scharlau has a successful track record because she takes the time to identify and understand goals and expectations—and she is an expert planner. Her range and depth of professional experience have earned her a reputation as a leader, strategist, advisor, and communications specialist. She has leveraged partnerships to support education, sustainability and growth, winning over $3,000,000 in grants benefiting the wine industry in the Northwest. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and a B.S. in Agricultural Journalism and Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.