Our Board

Thomas Bensel is managing director of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). His responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the college’s campuses, including its degree programs.

Ed has been Managing Director for Carneros Resort and Spa since 2016 and brings with him more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He spent many years leading operations for luxury hotels and resorts between Boston and NYC. Ed serves as the General Manager for Carneros Resort and Spa, where he oversees operations for the 28-acre luxury resort and has led the team to numerous awards and accolades during his tenure.

Before joining the Napa Valley Wine Train in 2021, Nathan served as Managing Director & General Manager at Harvest Inn in St. Helena, and prior to that was the General Manager at the Bodega Bay Lodge of the Woodside Hotel Group. From 2014-2017, he was the Resort Manager for the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. Previously, Nathan spent four years with Kimpton Hotels in San Francisco, and eight years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

As a San Diego native, Robby Delaney has 16 years in luxury hospitality, all with Four Seasons (San Diego, Denver, Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Maui). He is now the General Manager at the 5 star, 85 room, 20 residence Four Seasons in Calistoga.

Patrick Egan is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Boisset Collection, where he has shaped marketing, e-commerce and communications strategies since joining the company in 2004, including Napa Valley’s Raymond Vineyards, JCB, Oakville Grocery, Chateau Buena Vista, Elizabeth Spencer and the Calistoga Depot. A resident of Napa Valley since 2010, Patrick is an engaged member of the community, and a member of the first cohort of the Napa Valley Vintner’s Napa Leadership program.

Dave is the General Manager at Solage Resort where he oversees all facets of the 22 acre luxury property. He previously served as the opening General Manager of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, an Auberge property located in Santa Barbara wine country. With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Dave has a proven track record of building exceptional teams that have garnered countless awards and accolades under his leadership. He has been with Auberge Resorts for the past 6 years and is passionate about contributing to the success of the Napa Valley.

Linsey Gallagher is President and CEO of Visit Napa Valley (VNV), the official destination management organization for Napa County. VNV promotes the region as an attractive travel destination and enhances its reputation as a dynamic place to visit, live and work. Linsey serves on the Board of Directors of US Travel, CalTravel, and Visit California. Previously, she spent 10 years working at Wine Institute as Vice President of International Marketing, leading the California Wine Export Program with programs in more than 25 countries worldwide. She has also worked for E&J Gallo Winery, NBC TODAY Show, and GE Capital Services.

Jeri Hansen joined the Napa Chamber of Commerce as President & CEO in January 2023. She was Principal at Jeri Hansen Company, specializing in community engagement, public policy, and strategic planning. Previous to starting her own firm in 2020, Jeri was CEO of Sustainable Napa County and was a member of the Napa County Planning Commission. She was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the Napa Valley Exposition (25th District Agricultural Association) Board of Directors in 2014 and is currently President of the Board.

Rick Kaufman, the founder of City-Core Development, Inc., has enjoyed a 30-year journey in commercial real estate investment, with a keen focus on successful planning and development. His diverse projects include the conversion of former shipyards, redevelopment of food factories, and a special dedication to hotels. In the Napa Valley, Rick is an owner of the Harvest Inn in St. Helena and the Old Soda Springs Winery.

Joe Leinacker has been the Managing Director of The Meritage Resort, Vista Collina Resort, and Vino Bello Resort since 2020. Before moving to Napa, Joe served as the General Manager of the award winning Pasea Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, CA. Originally from Topeka, KS, Joe enjoys playing golf, dinner and drinks with friends, and spending time with his two dogs Willow and Miley Cyrus.

As general manager of Meadowood Napa Valley, Patrick Nayrolles is the consummate host with his pulse on the day-to-day operations and guest relations of the historic estate. With a hospitality pedigree and a resume that includes overseeing some of the finest hotels and resorts worldwide, Patrick began his tenure as Meadowood’s general manager in 2015, a position his father held from 1986 to 1994.

Linda Reiff joined the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) in 1995. Under Linda’s leadership, NVV’s marketing, promotions, communications and education efforts have expanded around the world and the organization has become an influential leader in the global wine industry. Prior to joining the NVV, Linda worked for Congressman Vic Fazio and served as his communications director and then chief of staff in Washington, DC.

In 2001 Jason co-founded Jumpstart Automotive Media a vertical advertising network focused on the automotive industry and served as chief partnership officer until the company was acquired in 2007 by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., a Lagardere subsidiary, which owns the Car and Driver, Road & Track and Cycle World brands. He was also an early employee at consumer Internet startup OpenAuto.com and AutoWeb.com. Jason co-founded Latitude 38 Entertainment (L38), a premium entertainment company located in the Napa Valley, producing world-class events including BottleRock Napa Valley. Jason holds a BA from Arizona State University. Jason was born, raised in Napa and currently lives in Yountville.

Todd Shallan is the Vice President and Managing Director of Silverado Resort, where he oversees all aspects of the resort, club, and spa operations. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality Division, at Alterra Mountain Company, where he was responsible for the overall operations of lodging, food & beverage, clubs, golf and retail for the 15 owned resorts in the company. He brings 40 years of resort, hospitality, and recreation industry experience from roles in housekeeping, front desk, guest services, restaurants, banquets, convention services and group sales at an extensive list of prestigious properties, including the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Ritz- Carlton in Palm Springs and The Boca Raton Resort and Club in South Florida.

David R. Shipman, General Manager of The Citizen Hotel, an Autograph Collection Hotel in Sacramento, California, and the White House Inn in Napa, California is a well-respected “progressive” hospitality executive, with more than 25 years of luxury hotel expertise. Mr. Shipman has made his mark in several management positions, working at the luxury Auberge Du Soleil in Rutherford, California, and at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in Aspen, Colorado. In 1998, Shipman joined the opening team of Villagio Inn & Spa and Vintage Inn. Until 2013, Shipman held the role of Managing Director. In 2016, Shipman was pre-opening General Manager of Las Alcobas a Luxury Collection Hotel in St Helena California. A native of Washington State, Mr. Shipman has shown leadership abilities and expertise in developing and implementing strategic plans for hotel openings, re-structuring hotel operations, and ownership and guest relations, and has paved the way for highly successful property positioning and team building.

Emma Swain, CEO of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery has worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years. Emma started in finance, before joining St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery and became CEO in 2009. Emma is a past chair and currently serves on the Board for the Wine Market Council, and is a past board chair of the Napa Valley Vintners.

With over 25 years in the hospitality industry Jenny’s first hotel was at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. After spending 12 years in the city, working as a Sales & Marketing Leader, primarily with Kimpton Hotels, she moved to Napa in 2011 to work in wine tourism and fell in love with hospitality even more. Through volunteer involvements with Festival Napa Valley, Jameson Animal Rescue and Auction Napa Valley she became deeply invested in the success of the valley. Today she continues to participate in key efforts that help support keeping the valley such a special place, along with making it a premier destination for visitors and for the community who is lucky enough to call it home.

Rachel Wilson is currently the General Manager for the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa, a beautiful 275 room property right off highway 29. A great location allowing guests to explore the Napa Valley and Sonoma with ease. Previously, Wilson lead The Source Hotel and Market Hall located in the RINO area in Denver, CO. Wilson joined the Sage Independent Collection in July 2021 in the role of Hotel General Manager for The Hotel Zags Portland. Prior to joining the Sage family, Wilson held multiple positions with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, including serving as General Manager for Oregon’s Hotel Vintage Portland. In this role, she won Best Director of 2020 from the Pebblebrook Hotel's Annual Pebby Awards, raised the guest satisfaction scores to reflect the hotel's exceptional service, and created a workplace culture that allowed its staff to learn and grow. Wilson is a graduate of California State University Channel Islands.