Thomas Bensel, Managing Director of the Culinary Institute of America California Campus, is elected chair of the Visit Napa Valley board of directors
Visit Napa Valley, the official destination marketing organization of Napa Valley, announced that its board of directors has elected Thomas Bensel, Managing Director of the Culinary Institute of America California Campus, as its chair for fiscal year 2024.
“Visit Napa Valley has played an integral role in driving not only the recovery of tourism, which is vital to our local economy, but also promoting the Napa Valley as a dynamic place to live and work,” said Bensel. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with this board as it offers guidance on the work produced by the team at Visit Napa Valley, positioning Napa Valley as a premier wine country destination and introducing the Napa Valley to the next generation of visitors.”
Gary Buffo, Founder & President of Pure Luxury Transportation, has transitioned off the board after completing a six -year term. The new slate of Visit Napa Valley’s board became effective July 1, 2023. In addition to chair Thomas Bensel, members of the executive committee include:
- Chair Elect - Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
- Vice Chair - Edward Costa, General Manager, Carneros Resort & Spa
- Secretary/Treasurer - Michael Collins, General Manager, Archer Hotel Napa
- Past Chair - Tom Davies, President, V. Sattui Winery
The Visit Napa Valley board of directors also welcomed three new members for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year: Robby Delaney, General Manager of the Four Seasons Resort & Residences; Patrick Egan, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Boisset Collection; and Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager of Meadowood Napa Valley, each of whom will bring years of hospitality experience, expertise, and perspective to the board.
“Our board members are critical in driving the strategy behind Visit Napa Valley’s programs and supporting the hospitality industry in sustainably managing tourism in our region. We are grateful for the leadership and guidance of our outgoing board member Gary Buffo, who served as chair of our Finance Committee, and to Robby Delaney, Patrick Egan, and Patrick Nayrolles for joining the Visit Napa Valley board of directors,” said Linsey Gallagher, President and CEO of Visit Napa Valley. “We are indebted to outgoing chair Tom Davies for being such a champion of this organization and the hospitality and wine industries during his year as chair of the Visit Napa Valley board, and we thank Thomas Bensel for taking on this leadership role. I look forward to working even more closely with him in the year ahead.”
Visit Napa Valley Board of Directors Slate for FY24:
- Thomas Bensel, Managing Director, Culinary Institute of America California Campus
- Michael Collins, General Manager, Archer Hotel Napa
- Edward Costa, General Manager, Carneros Resort & Spa
- Carmen Cruz, General Manager, Embassy Suites Napa Valley
- Tom Davies, President, V. Sattui Winery
- Robby Delaney, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort & Residences
- Patrick Egan, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Boisset Collection
- Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO, Visit Napa Valley
- Joe Leinacker, Regional Managing Director, The Meritage Resort & Spa and Grand Reserve at The Meritage
- Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager, Meadowood Napa Valley
- Alain Negueloua, Vice President & General Manager, Bardessono & Hotel Yountville
- Linda Reiff, President & CEO, Napa Valley Vintners
- Jason Scoggins, Co-Founder & Partner, Latitude 38 Entertainment
- Todd Shallan, Vice President & Managing Director, Silverado Resort & Spa
- Don Shindle, General Manager, The Westin Verasa
- Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
- Jenny Toomer, General Manager, River Terrace Inn
The slate for the Napa Valley Tourism Corporation board of directors, the “owners association” that contracts with Visit Napa Valley to manage overall destination marketing activities, also underwent some changes. Recent appointments include Donald Williams, Mayor, City of Calistoga and Anne Cottrell, District 3 Supervisor, Napa County Board of Supervisors.
Napa Valley Tourism Corporation Board of Directors Slate for FY24:
- 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
- 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 (NVTC Chair)
- David Oro, Council Member, American Canyon City Council
- Kenta Kamohara, General Manager, American Canyon Holiday Inn Express & Suites
- Anne Cottrell, District 3 Supervisor, Napa County Board of Supervisors
- George Goeggel, Managing Partner, Auberge Resorts
- Linsey Gallagher, President & CEO, Visit Napa Valley
