Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine

Featured Guest Speaker
J. Dietrich Stroeh
Inspiration for the book, "The Man Who Made It Rain " by Michael McCarthy

J. Dietrich "Diet" Stroeh is a man who believes that together cities and agencies can proactively protect the future of water before the well runs dry. It's his collaborative approach to water management that has made him the inspiration for Michael McCarthy's "The Man Who Made It Rain" (Public Ink, 2006) and has earned him great respect among water experts across the country.

One of the founding partners of CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc. (CSW|ST2), his primary focus as a civil engineer is on infrastructure development, with an emphasis on the planning, design, and management of water and sanitary sewer distribution systems.

His 45 years of professional experience and ability working with local and regional agencies allows him to provide creative and innovative design solutions to waste water disposal and water management challenges. He is thoroughly familiar with the engineers, and the institutional, economic, planning and environmental aspects of water resource management.

Named one of "Marin's Top 13 Influential" (Marin Magazine 2007) he led the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) to safety during an unprecedented drought (1976-77) that was destroying agriculture and livestock. His insights and management skills assisted MMWD in developing a major new in-county water supply and implementing a comprehensive water management plan, including conservation education. He was also instrumental in achieving a national record in countywide water conservation during that drought period.

Taking into account the water needs of an area (e.g., residential, agricultural, and environmental) he consults with water agencies to establish management plans that address the needs of an entire community. He is currently working with several agencies, including Sonoma County Water Agency.

Diet is also a sought-after speaker. Speaking engagements include the 2007 California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association and he has appeared as a featured water expert on CBS TV (San Francisco Bay Area) and other Bay Area media outlets.

A registered Civil Engineer with California, Diet received his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, in Reno, Nevada.

His current and past memberships in community and industry organizations include:

• Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District - Director
• American Water Works Association (AWWA) - 6000 member California-Nevada Section - past president and National Director
• Bay Area Water Works Association (BAWWA) - Past member and Director
• Marin County Flood Control, Novato Advisory Board - member
• Citizen of the Year - City of Novato 1992
• Marin's Top 13 Influential - Marin Magazine, 2007

A California native and long time resident of Marin County, Diet is proud of his five children and seven grandchildren. Since 1940 he has lived in Novato, California, thirty minutes north of San Francisco.
(Contact information: Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations, 707-792-4376, karen@karenpiercegonazlez.com)

Brad is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Community Fuels, Inc., an alternative energy company. Community Fuels is committed to quality, innovation, and operational excellence in biodiesel production and related research. The Company has a state-of-the art facility at the Port of Stockton in California and has plans to become the largest producer of biodiesel in the state of California.
In 2007, Brad founded Codding Steel Frame Solutions, a manufacturing patented technology that provides recycled, pre-engineered, custom, cold formed steel panelized systems bringing local and sustainable resources to the region. The Company is committed to bringing innovation and the best green building know how to the construction industry. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Codding Steel Frame Solutions.

Brad formed the non-profit corporation, Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster in 2006 to foster prosperity in sustainable resource and socially relevant start-up technologies in the North Bay Region of California. The Business Cluster offers training, management, investment resources, and networking support for up to 35 businesses.
Brad is a Board Member of Aspen Air, a manufacturer of high performance electronic air cleaners to improve indoor air quality in residences and commercial buildings.
In 1985, Brad co-founded Codding Baker, Inc., a registered advisory firm with the founder of Codding Enterprises, Hugh Codding. This registered advisory was sold in 2006 to Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa, California.Brad was born in Sonoma County and graduated with distinction in Economics from San Diego State University in 1988. In May of 1988, he obtained his General Securities (Series 7) license.

Robert Boller
Vice President of Sustainability & Production

Jackson Family Wines (Kendall-Jackson et al)

Twenty years wine business experience in a broad spectrum of positions in operations, marketing and sales. Includes seven years at Kendall-Jackson, five of which were in operations and production and two years in marketing. Four years at Southcorp Wines, an Australian wine company, in marketing for North and Latin America. Eight years at E &J Gallo Winery holding seven positions in sales and marketing.

BIO FULL:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/robert-boller/13/5a5/b65

Download Robert Boller's Presentation

Last year, the Santa Rosa Subregional Water Reuse System reached a milestone when it recycled 100% of the recycled water and the biosolids it produced. Dan is a member of WEF, CWEA and WateReuse California, where he served as a Board member for 10 years.

Grant Davis
Assistant General Manager, Sonoma County Water Agency
Grant Davis is Assistant General Manager of the Sonoma County Water Agency. He is responsible for management activities related to the Agency's core functions of water delivery, wastewater management, flood protection, and environmental sustainability. Prior to joining the Agency, Mr. Davis was Executive Director of The Bay Institute, a respected science-based nonprofit, dedicated to protecting the San Francisco Bay-Delta Watershed and improving water management in California.

Mr. Davis also worked for Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey from 1993-1997. Grant covered energy and water-related legislation. He was also an aide to State Senator Milton Marks of San Francisco and to Assemblywoman Lucy Killea of San Diego. Davis also operated a successful small business, specializing in strategic planning, public relations and campaign management.

Mr. Davis currently serves on the University of California President's Advisory Commission, for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He was a member of the Governor of California's Water Plan Advisory Commission, Chair of the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture and Vice Chair of the Bay Area Water Forum. Mr. Davis received his BA in political science from the University of California at Berkeley.

He is highly educated with an engineering background, professionally licensed, and an active member in many building and business associations.

Dick has always prided himself on developing communities that are an integral part of the growth and longevity of the surrounding environment. The protection of resources, water conservation, and the use of energy-efficient building products are standard practice in all Pinnacle Homes Projects.

That passion and determination has led to his induction into the North Coast Builders Exchange Construction Hall of Fame.

Other affiliations include:
-Chairman of the Board of Public Utilities for the City of Santa Rosa
-Member of the Board of Directors for AltaPacific Bank -Member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County
-Past President of the Sonoma County Alliance
-Past President of the North Coast Builders Exchange
-Past President of the Redwood Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers
-State Director of the Associated General Contractors
-Past Vice President of both Governmental Affairs and Economic Development of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce

Previously, Nick was Executive Director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association (SCGGA) since May 1999.

Nick has served on the board of the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group. He currently serves on the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation Ag Trust Committee, Santa Rosa Junior College Viticulture Advisory Committee, Sonoma County Harvest Fair Board, and Sonoma County Tourism Board. Nick received the Friend of Agriculture award at the 2006 Sonoma County Harvest Fair and Leadership Santa Rosa Honors for Agriculture in 2007 by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce.

Nick grew up on a farm near Winterset, Iowa, received a BS in Agronomy from Iowa State University in 1970, and a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Minnesota in 1974. Nick spent 25 years working for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. where his responsibilities included research, research management and new business development.

Susan's areas of primary focus include planning for our City's future, preservation of our natural resources, expanded public transit and safe bicycle and pedestrian transportation, and encourage citizen participation.

Other experience includes:
* Santa Rosa Planning Commissioner
* Santa Rosa School Board - Former Member
* Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities - Former Member
* League of Women Voters of Sonoma County - Member and Former President
* Santa Rosa Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee - Former Chair
* CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates (for children) - Board Member and Former President
* Concerned Citizens for Santa Rosa - Former Co-chair
* New Economy Working Solutions - Executive Board Member
* Sonoma County Public Library Foundation - Former Vice-President
* Safe Havens for Youth - Former Advisory Board Member

 Download Susan Gorin's Presentation

Before coming to The Press Democrat as an editorial writer in 1998, he served as Peninsula Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Chronicle. Prior to that, he was editor of the Palo Alto Weekly for five years.

Paul also is an eight-year board member and past president of the California First Amendment Coalition.

He has received awards for editorial writing and column writing from the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the San Francisco Peninsula Press Club and was recipient of the New York Times Co. Chairman's Award for editorial writing in 2005.

Paul is a native of Palo Alto and a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism. He lives in Santa Rosa with his wife, Tamara, his 6-year-old daughter Clara, and his 10-year-old son, Christopher. In his spare time, he coaches Little League baseball and soccer. And he can't think of a better place to raise two children than in Sonoma County.

Download Keith Horn's Presentation

Paul Kelley
District 4 Supervisor for the County of Sonoma
Paul Kelley was born and raised in Sonoma County. He grew up just west of Santa Rosa, on Olivet Road. He attended local schools, graduating from Piner High and Santa Rosa Junior College. Paul attended San Francisco State University, graduating with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in History.

Paul began his career as an operations manager in a small chemical company. He spent a year working for Robert Young Vineyards in the office as well as in the vineyard. Utilizing his degree in Computer Science, he became a computer programmer and systems installer for several software firms.

He worked with Standard Structures, bringing a new computer system online. After Standard Structures, Paul worked as a private school teacher, teaching Junior High for the first year, then 5th and 6th graders. He taught Math and History and coached the basketball team. Paul has been active in his community. He was the Charter Secretary for the Windsor Kiwanis Club, playing a major role in its formation. Paul was involved in the incorporation of the Town of Windsor and was a member of a community committee.

In 1994, Paul ran for Sonoma County Supervisor and was elected in November, taking office in January 1995. His term of office is four years. He stays involved in the community and has office hours in each city he represents. Anyone interested in meeting Supervisor Kelley can reach him at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors (707)-565-2241 fax (707)-527-3778. They can also reach Supervisor Kelley at either of his e-mail addresses, paul@paulkelley.org.

Paul has twice served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, in 1998 & 2003. In addition, he has served as Chairman of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority fin 1997-98, and again in 2004-05.

Assignments include North Coast Air Pollution, North Coast Supervisors Association, Redwood Empire Association, and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority.

Vineyard & Winery Management magazine has been in business for more than 30 years. With its roots in upstate New York, what began as a hobby through a love of wine and wine writing turned into a thriving regional publication. Now headquartered in Sonoma County, California, it proudly serves as the leading independent wine trade magazine for all of North America.

The business also provides the wine industry with specialized trade shows and seminars designed for professional development. These events include Tasting Room Profitability, Wine Club Summit, Managing the Winery Laboratory, Wineries Unlimited (the largest wine industry conference and trade show in the East) and now the Wine Country Water Summit. Additional Spotlight seminars that are technical in nature round out this segment of the business.

In addition, V&WM also successfully produces three highly regarded international wine competitions: International Eastern Wine Competition, West Coast Wine Competition, and the terroir-based Grand Harvest Awards.

V&WM is a second generation business, currently owned and operated by Robert and his wife, Jennifer, who each take an active part in day-to-day operations. Vineyard & Winery Management continues to be an industry leader that strives to keep its customers interested, informed, and primed for success.

Opatz returned to wine country dedicated to vineyard management and for the past 28 years has held positions at prestigious wine companies including Gallo Sonoma (Feb 1981-Nov 1986), Chateau St. Jean (Dec 1986 - Dec 1993) and Alexander Valley Vineyards (Jan 1994 - Dec 1998). He started as vineyard manager at Clos du Bois/Allied Domecq (Jan 1999) and ended as Vice President of Vineyards and Grower Relations, responsibilities including grape supply for the five California wineries and two winery facilities (owned by Allied Domecq) in Argentina.

Pete has also been involved in numerous wine industry associations, serving 2 one-year terms as president of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association and 6 years as a board member of the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group. Current board memberships include Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, CA State Winegrape Inspection Commission and active member of the Salmon Coalition. Today Pete serves as Vice President and Senior Viticulturist for Silverado Premium Properties, which owns several thousand acres though out the coastal regions of California.

As viticulturist Opatz believes he needs to give personal attention to his vineyards, a "boots on the ground" approach, walking the vineyards is a critical element to effective viticulture. There's no substitute for matching technical data with hands on visual evaluation of the vineyards each week, perfectly matching the water, nutrient, and trellising requirements for each vine with the soil and climate conditions. "Automated systems are fine, but you need the human touch to tell you what's really happening," says Pete. Pete's philosophy of "farming to the soil," expresses his dedication to watching over all systems and maintaining a balance.

Download Pete Opatz' Presentation

Timothy K. Parker
PG, CEG, CHG
Mr. Parker provides strategic planning, policy consulting and groundwater technical expertise to public and private sector clients to develop effective solutions to complex problems in the water and evolving environmental and energy industries. Mr. Parker's groundwater experience spans more than 25 years and includes water policy analysis, groundwater resources development, groundwater management, groundwater monitoring, and contaminant hydrogeology in public and private sectors. He was previously with Schlumberger Water and Carbon Services, and prior to that with the California Department of Water Resources. He is a California Professional Geologist, Certified Engineering Geologist, and Certified Hydrogeologist, and co-author of the book California Groundwater Management, 2nd edition 2005. Mr. Parker serves the Groundwater Resources Association of California as a Director and Legislative Committee Chair, the California Groundwater Coalition as Director, and American Ground Water Trust as Chair. Mr. Parker is co-chair of the Implementation Work Group for development of the Nationwide Ground Water Monitoring Network, under the Subcommittee on Ground Water, Advisory Committee on Water Information, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mr. Parker also serves as a Director on the National Ground Water Association-Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers, as a member of the NGWA Government Affairs Committee, Chair of the Groundwater Protection and Management Subcommittee, and Chair of the Regional Groundwater Resources Management Task Force. Mr. Parker is actively engaged in the Association of California Water Agencies Groundwater Committee current efforts to develop a strategic framework for sustainable groundwater management in California.

Download Timothy Perker's Presentation

After leaving MMWD, Mr. White joined the Sonoma County Water Agency were he lead the Natural Resources Section for over 13 years. While at SCWA he served as Project Manager for the Agency's Fisheries Enhancement Program as well as a variety of other projects including the Napa-Sonoma Marsh Restoration Project. Mr. White also acted as staff liaison to many State and Federal resource agencies. During his service at SCWA, Sean was awarded the NOAA Environmental Stewardship Award as well as the National Performance Review from Vice President Al Gore.

Sean has recently been named General Manager of the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District, the entity that holds the rights to inland Mendocino County water stored in Lake Mendocino.

Having worked in all three counties that rely on the Russian River, Mr. White has a well-rounded understanding of regional water issues including water rights, water supply, instream flows and fishery requirements.

Sean received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University as an Honors Graduate in 1991. He and his wife, Leah, along with their three children, have resided in Ukiah for the last seven years.