Board of Commissioners

Todd is a father of five and fourth generation Yakima Valley farmer whose diverse family farm grows not only wine grapes and concords, but many different varieties of tree fruit as well. After receiving a BA at Whitman College in 1995, he immediately started working full time on the farm. He’s served on numerous wine industry boards and committees, chaired the Winegrowers Association and the Winegrape Growers of America, and co-authored (with Joan Davenport) the Snipes Mountain AVA petition. He also lobbied in Washington DC on behalf of the industry for six years.

• Hometown: Grandview and Sunnyside, WA
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: A cold and hoppy IPA
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: Rock and roll. I’m an old soul.  As with vines, it’s all about the roots!
• Favorite #WAWine Variety: Grenache. Fun and challenging to grow, pairs well with a plethora of foods and is great in red form or as a Rosé!

Originally from the Bay Area, John came to the PNW to attend the University of Washington where he received his BA in Political Science. While attending UW, he participated in his first “crush” in 1986. From 2000 to present, John has experienced all aspect of winery operations. He began his career in the cellar, moved into the front office and compliance, managed DTC sales, oversaw domestic and international distribution, as well as the over-all business and financial management of winery and vineyard operations.  He is an avid golfer and food and travel enthusiast.

• Hometown: Oakland, CA
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: Manhattan made with Bulleit Rye (60%) and Carpano Antica Vermouth (40%) and Angostura bitters. Lightly drizzle ½ teaspoon of Tillen Farm Bada Bing cherry juice along the side of the chilled glass and pour from shaker.
• Share An Additional Fun Fact We Might not have Asked About: During college, I took a bus after school to downtown Seattle to “cold-call” from the white pages for a stockbroker at Smith Barney, was a driving instructor for Kirshner Driving School in the summer months, and made photocopies for students at the UW copy center on weekends.

Lynda Eller is the Senior Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of the largest premium wine companies in the U.S.  As a 20+ year veteran of the Washington wine industry, she has spent two decades passionately telling the Washington wine story to regional and national trade and consumer audiences for Chateau Ste. Michelle, the state’s founding winery.  Prior to joining Ste. Michelle, she worked for Public Relations agencies with clients in the hospitality, beverage, and entertainment industries. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and kayaking.

• Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: I worked at Nordstrom all through high school. It instilled a strong work ethic at an early age and the value of customer service.
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: A mocha and a hazy IPA
• Where Do You Find Your Inspiration? Spending time outdoors in the Northwest, especially kayaking in the South Puget Sound.
• Additional Fun Fact We Might Not Have Asked About: I spent my early childhood living abroad.  I was born in Malaysia, and lived in Thailand for four years, and Afghanistan for three years before my family moved to Oregon where I continued to live through my college years and am a proud Oregon Duck.

Tom Dugan is CEO of DeLille Cellars, the third oldest winery in Woodinville and pioneer of Bordeaux-style blends. Tom joined DeLille in 2014 as GM after consulting in the wine space in California and Oregon. Originally from Ohio, Tom started his career in finance in London and New York. Tom also serves on the Washington Wine Institute and Washington National Park Fund boards. He loves the outdoors and lives in Seattle with his wife, sons, and dog.

• Previous Profession that You Are Proud of: Founder of Harlem Lacrosse, a national non-profit supporting youth from underserved communities through lacrosse instruction and academic intervention.
• How Your Pet/Kids/Friends Would Describe You: Serious until you get to know me.
• Favorite Party Trick: Always bringing good wine and bad dad jokes.
• Share an Additional Fun Fact we Might not have Asked About: I’m a triplet!

Kade is the Manager and Viticulturist for storied Ciel Du Cheval.  He has a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology and an M.S. in Agriculture from WSU.  Kade also has a background in general contracting and has worked on commercial and custom home projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Kade also serves on the Washington Wine Industry Foundation Scholarship Committee.

• Hometown: Star Valley, WY & La Grande, OR
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud of: Superintendent for a Custom Home Builder
• Share an Additional Fun Fact We Might not have Asked About: I spend my free time traveling, fishing, camping, and enjoying the great outdoors with my wife and my son.

[Bio to come!]

Devyani Isabel Gupta is the lead Winemaker & Viticulturist for Valdemar Estates, in Walla Walla. Devyani oversees grape growing and winemaking for the Valdemar Family’s Pacific Northwest portfolio focused on premium Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Devyani is deeply committed to her wine community; she also serves as Mentor in the Bâtonnage Forum and as Chair of the Walla Walla Community College Enology & Viticulture program’s advisory committee.

• Hometown: Portland, Oregon
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Research Project Lead – UW READi Lab which conducts research related to early identification and intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Favorite Party Trick? Pit-master of the house – I love to grill and host friends
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: Mechanizing canopy management in boutique farming. Alternative yeast strains and co-inoculations for combating climate change in the winery.

Dick Boushey been farming wine grapes in the Yakima Valley for over 40 years. He and his wife Luanne own Boushey Vineyards, they grow wine grapes and juice grapes in the Grandview area, and manage vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA. Dick has been the recipient of several distinguished industry awards; the “Walter Clore Award” from the Washington State Grape Society, “Grower of the Year” Eric Hanson memorial award from the Washington Assoc. of Wine Grape Growers, “Honorary Grower Chair” for Children’s Hospital Auction of Washington Wines, “Industry Service Award” from the wine grape growers.

• Hometown: Deadwood, SD
• Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Zombie and Vampire movies.
• How Your Pet/Kids/Friends Would Describe You: A food and wine provider; my life is pretty much paired with #WAwine.
• Share an Additional Fun Fact We Might not have Asked About: I never met a wine I didn’t drink.

Madi Roy is an agricultural economist with the Washington State Department of Agriculture where her work centers on supporting the viability of agriculture and food businesses in Washington State. She holds degrees in applied economics with an emphasis in agriculture and natural resources from both Washington State University and the University of Idaho. Madi comes from a multi-generation wheat farm. She enjoys spending time with her family, growing alfalfa with her husband, and exploring the outdoors.

• Hometown: Prosser, WA
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Research economist focused on energy, water and natural resources at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
• Favorite Drink other than Wine: Coffee of course!
• Favorite Topic You Continue to Learn/Study: Agriculture – Everything from growing, marketing and selling different crops to understanding where the industry is today, where it has been historically, and how things are changing.

Rebecca De Kleine started her career at Four Feathers in 2012 and has worked in various winemaking capacities during her tenure. In her current role as General Manager, she is responsible for management and business operations and strategic planning. In the last ten years, Rebecca has helped to build teams in winemaking, operations, client relations, sales, and marketing. She has been active in the Washington wine industry with organizations including Washington Wine Growers and the Washington Wine Technical Group. She enjoys the educational aspect of these opportunities and attributes some advancements in industry to the value of these organizations. Rebecca enjoys boating in the summer, skiing in the winter, and the family trips to get there.

• Hometown: Renton, WA
• Previous Profession That You Are Proud Of: Dishwasher at IKEA
• How Your Pet/Kids/Friends Would Describe You: Up for anything, stylish, full of surprises.
• Favorite Thing to Pair With #WAwine: Our home-grown Wagyu beef.