EMMA SWAIN, CEO OF ST. SUPÉRY ESTATE VINEYARDS & WINERY,  
ELECTED CHAIR OF THE VISIT NAPA VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 

Napa Valley, CA — Visit Napa Valley, the official destination marketing and management organization for Napa Valley, announces that its board of directors has elected Emma Swain, CEO of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, as its chair for fiscal year 2025. 

 

"I am eager to work closely with the board to advance the ongoing mission of Visit Napa Valley – promoting, protecting, and enhancing the Napa Valley destination,” said Swain. “This is important work, as tourism catalyzes positive economic growth within our community. It fuels business development, sustains thousands of jobs in wine and hospitality, and enriches the lives of all who make Napa Valley their home.” 
 

After completing six-year terms, Tom Davies, President and Managing Partner at V. Sattui and Alain Negueloua, Vice President and General Manager of Bardessono Hotel & Spa and Hotel Yountville, have transitioned off the board. The new Visit Napa Valley board slate became effective July 1, 2024.  

 

Members of the board executive committee for the new fiscal year are: 
 

  • Chair – Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery 

  • Chair Elect – Edward Costa, General Manager, Carneros Resort & Spa 

  • Vice Chair – Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager, Meadowood Napa Valley 

  • Secretary/Treasurer – Michael Collins, General Manager, Archer Hotel Napa 

  • Past Chair – Thomas Bensel, Managing Director, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) California  

 
The Visit Napa Valley board of directors also welcomes five new members for the upcoming 2025 fiscal year: Nathan Davis, General Manager at Napa Valley Wine Train; Dave Elcon, General Manager at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection; Jeri Hansen, President & CEO of the Napa Chamber of Commerce; Rick Kaufman, Owner at Harvest Inn; and Laura McIver, General Manager at Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection. 

 

Visit Napa Valley board members began their two-year terms effective July 1, 2024, 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, Thomas Bensel, whose dedication leaves a lasting imprint. I look forward to working alongside chair Emma Swain in her new leadership role, as her steadfast commitment to the region will ensure our continuous success, and we are excited to welcome new board members Nathan Davis, Dave Elcon, Jeri Hansen, Rick Kaufman, and Laura McIver. They join an esteemed team of professionals dedicated to advancing our premier wine country destination.” 

 

Visit Napa Valley Board of Directors Slate for FY25: 

  • Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery 

  • Edward Costa, General Manager, Carneros Resort & Spa 

  • Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager, Meadowood Napa Valley 

  • Michael Collins, General Manager, Archer Hotel Napa 

  • Thomas Bensel, Managing Director, The Culinary Institute of America, California 
     

  • 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 

  • Rick Kaufman, Owner, Harvest Inn 

  • Joe Leinacker, Regional Managing Director, The Meritage Resort and Spa  

  • Laura McIver, General Manager, Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection 

  • Linda Reiff, President & CEO, Napa Valley Vintners 

  • Jason Scoggins, Co-Founder & Partner, Latitude 38 Entertainment 

  • Todd Shallan, Vice President & Managing Director, Silverado Resort 

  • Jenny Toomer, General Manager, River Terrace Inn 
     

The Napa Valley Tourism Corporation (NVTC) Board of Directors slate has also been named for fiscal year 2025. 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 FY25: 

  • Donald Williams, Mayor, City of Calistoga 

  • Michael Lennon, General Manager, Calistoga Hot Springs 

  • Amy Carabba-Salazar, President & CEO, St. Helena Chamber of Commerce 

  • Marcelle Adderly, General Manager, Southbridge Napa Valley 

  • 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 

  • Don Shindle, General Manager, The Westin Verasa Napa (NVTC Chair) 

  • David Oro, Council Member, City of American Canyon  

  • Erik Burrow, General Manager, Doubletree by Hilton Napa Valley American Canyon 

  • Anne Cottrell, District 3 Supervisor, Napa County Board of Supervisors 

  • George Goeggel, Managing Partner, Auberge Resorts Collection 

  • Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO, Visit Napa Valley 

 

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. 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 concierge service from highly qualified brand ambassadors. For additional information about Napa Valley, or to plan your Napa Valley experience, please explore VisitNapaValley.com and follow social feeds @VisitNapaValley