Linda Reiff is the president and CEO of the Napa Valley Vintners, the organization that creates unparalleled success and world-wide acclaim for America's iconic wine region. Under Linda's leadership, Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) marketing, promotions, communications, and education efforts have dramatically expanded around the world and the organization has become an influential leader on global wine industry issues. She has earned many recognitions, including being named the global Person of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine. The NVV's mission is to promote, protect and enhance the Napa Valley appellation, which produces just 4% of California's wines, yet accounts for more than 30% of the state wine industry's economic impact. The NVV is a not-for-profit trade organization that represents 540 wineries and 95% of the wine production in the region. It is voluntary to be a member. Linda leads the NVV's commitment to excellence by creating, operating and evolving nearly 200 programs and efforts annually to: • market and promote the Napa Valley wine region, its vintners and wines • advocate for the industry on key issues in the US and foreign markets • protect the integrity of the Napa name, including success at the U.S. Supreme Court • provide education and resources for all winery employees, from cellar worker to CEO • assist its winemakers to produce consistent, high-quality wines • increase diversity, inclusivity and opportunity in the wine business, and • ensure Napa Valley is preserved and enhanced for future generations through programs such as Napa Green certification and significant investments in community organizations During her tenure, the NVV's fundraiser, Auction Napa Valley, became the world's most celebrated charity wine event and was revamped under the new Collective Napa Valley. Through auction proceeds, the NVV has invested over $230 million in health care and children's education programs, including a number of innovative, cooperative endeavors Linda helped establish such as: the Napa Valley Farmworker Housing Program; the Children's Health Initiative; the Napa Valley Vintners Community Healthcare Centers; and the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund. Linda also led the NVV in the creation of the event and brand Premiere Napa Valley, which produces some of the rarest, individually-crafted and most highly sought-after wine offerings. Linda believes collaboration is essential to Napa Valley's success, and in that same spirit has regularly assisted other wine regions throughout California, the U.S. and the world to help further the success of the global wine business. She led in establishing and serves on the board of the Wine Origins Alliance, which now represents 33 top regions in the world. She has served on many other boards of directors including nine years with the Land Trust of Napa County and was the president during the organization's largest land acquisitions. She is a founding board member who helped create: the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Visit Napa Valley and the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Prior to joining the NVV in 1995, Linda worked for Congressman Vic Fazio for eight years, serving as his district representative, communications director and chief of staff in Washington, DC. She also worked as a journalist covering agricultural and environmental issues in California. Linda graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor's degree in journalism and concentrations in editorial and agricultural news. She grew up working in all aspects of agriculture in Yolo County, California, where her family farmed many crops, including their 80-acre winegrape vineyard, and they operated a small winery. Her late husband, Richard Ward, was the co-founder and managing partner of Saintsbury winery in Napa.

WORK HISTORY: