Napa Valley, CA — Visit Napa Valley, the official destination marketing and management organization for Napa Valley, announces that its board of directors has elected Ed Costa, Managing Director of Carneros Resort & Spa, as its chair for fiscal year 2026.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Chair of the Board of Visit Napa Valley,” said Costa. “Together with our dedicated board, partners, and community, I look forward to advancing our mission—to promote, protect, and enhance the Napa Valley destination—and continuing our vision of elevating Napa Valley as the world’s premier wine country experience. Guided by our values of leadership, collaboration, sustainability, and authenticity, we will champion initiatives that inspire meaningful visits, steward our exceptional environment, and contribute to the long-term vitality of our region.”
The new Visit Napa Valley board slate became effective July 1, 2025. Members of the board executive committee for the new fiscal year are:
• Chair – Edward Costa, Managing Director, Carneros Resort & Spa
• Chair Elect – Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager, Meadowood Napa Valley
• Vice Chair – Rick Kaufman, Co-Owner, Harvest Inn
• Secretary/Treasurer – Todd Shallan, Vice President & Managing Director, Silverado Resort
• Past Chair – Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
The Visit Napa Valley board of directors also welcomes four new members for the upcoming 2025 fiscal year: Todd Humphries, Chef & Co-Founder of Kitchen Door Restaurant; David Shipman, General Manager of White House Napa; Rachel Wilson, General Manager of Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa; and Heidi Miersemann, General Manager of Alila Napa Valley.
Visit Napa Valley board members began their two-year terms effective July 1, 2025, as the organization focuses on diversifying its visitor profile and furthering efforts in destination stewardship.
“We are empowered by the exceptional leadership and expertise of our board members, who represent the forefront of the hospitality and wine industries,” said Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO of Visit Napa Valley. “Our overarching role is to champion the Napa Valley destination, nurturing its growth while safeguarding its integrity as stewards of the destination. By doing so, we ensure Napa Valley is a dynamic place to visit, live, and work. Our board is an essential contributor to this mission.”
“We are grateful for our outgoing chair, Emma Swain, whose dedication leaves a lasting imprint. I look forward to working alongside chair Ed Costa in his new leadership role, as his steadfast commitment to the region will ensure our continuous success, and we are excited to welcome new board members David Shipman, Rachel Wilson, Todd Humphries, and Heidi Miersmann. They join an esteemed team of professionals dedicated to promoting and protecting our premier wine country destination.”
Visit Napa Valley Board of Directors Slate for FY26:
• Edward Costa, Managing Director, Carneros Resort & Spa
• Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager, Meadowood Napa Valley
• Rick Kaufman, Owner, Harvest Inn
• Todd Shallan, Vice President & Managing Director, Silverado Resort
• Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
• Nathan Davis, General Manager, Napa Valley Wine Train
• Robby Delaney, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort & Residences
• Patrick Egan, Senior VP, Marketing and Communications, Boisset Collection
• Dave Elcon, General Manager, Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection
• Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO, Visit Napa Valley
• Jeri Hansen, President & CEO, Napa Chamber of Commerce
• Todd Humphries, Chef & Co-Founder, Kitchen Door
• Joe Leinacker, Regional Managing Director, The Meritage Resort and Spa
• Heidi Miersemann, General Manager, Alila Napa Valley
• Jason Scoggins, Co-Founder & Partner, Latitude 38 Entertainment
• David Shipman, General Manager, White House Napa
• Jenny Toomer, General Manager, River Terrace Inn
• Rachel Wilson, General Manager, Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa
The Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (NVTC) Board of Directors slate has also been named for fiscal year 2026. As the “owners association,” NVTC contracts with Visit Napa Valley to manage overall destination tourism and elevate Napa Valley as the world’s premier wine country experience.
Napa Valley Tourism Corporation Board of Directors Slate for FY26:
• Anne Cottrell, District 3 Supervisor, Napa County Board of Supervisors
• George Goeggel, Managing Partner, Auberge Resorts Collection (NVTC Chair)
• Donald Williams, Mayor, City of Calistoga
• Dave Elcon, General Manager, Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection
• Anil Comelo, City Manager, City of St. Helena
• Rick Kaufman, Co-Owner, Harvest Inn
• George Goeggel, Managing Partner, Auberge Resorts Collection (NVTC Secretary/Treasurer)
• Brad Raulston, Town Manager, Yountville
• Max Compagnon, Managing Director, Napa Valley Lodge
• Steve Potter, City Manager, City of Napa
• Sara Brooks, General Manager, Napa River Inn & Historic Napa Mill (NVTC Vice-Chair)
• Jenny Toomer, General Manager, River Terrace Inn
• David Oro, Council Member, City of American Canyon
• Erik Burrow, General Manager, Doubletree by Hilton Napa Valley American Canyon
• Ed Costa, Managing Director, Carneros Resort & Spa
About Visit Napa Valley
Visit Napa Valley is the official destination marketing and management organization for Napa County. The organization promotes the region as an attractive travel destination and works to continually enhance its public image as a dynamic place to visit, live, and work. The vision and mission of Visit Napa Valley are to elevate Napa Valley as the world's premier wine country experience and to promote, protect, and enhance the Napa Valley destination. Primary funding for our activities and programs comes from a Tourism Improvement District (TID) special assessment on lodging guests. Napa Valley, conveniently located within an hour's drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and the Greater Sacramento Area, is comprised of five distinct towns, including, from north to south, Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, the City of Napa, and American Canyon. In addition to these five towns, the areas of Rutherford, Oakville, and Angwin, along with the outdoor recreation area of Lake Berryessa, are also part of Napa County and add to its diverse and rich history. The fully staffed Napa Valley Welcome Center in the City of Napa is a high-tech facility, complemented by personalized and complimentary concierge service from highly qualified brand ambassadors offering recommendations across the valley. For additional information about Napa Valley, or to plan your Napa Valley experience, please explore VisitNapaValley.com and follow social feeds @VisitNapaValley.
