Wine Industry Veteran Steps in to Lead Nonprofit Event
SEATTLE (March 22, 2019) – The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) named industry veteran Jamie Peha its interim Executive Director, effective immediately.
Peha has already played a key role as part of the AWW team. As Director of the event’s Private Barrel Auction, she grew the program from eight wine lots in 2015 netting $48,000 to 31 lots and a record-breaking $251,000 in 2018. Peha’s career highlights include building Taste Washington into a nationally recognized event, growing the Seattle Wine and Food Experience into a two-day financially viable event and serving as interim director for both Woodinville Wine Country and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance.
“The Auction of Washington Wines has chosen Jamie so that we may continue to focus on thoughtfully and strategically fulfilling our mission to raise awareness of Washington state wine while raising much needed funds for Seattle Children’s and WSU’s Viticulture and Enology Research,” said Beth McCaw, Board President, Auction of Washington Wines. “We were recently listed as the number three largest charity wine auction in the U.S. by Wine Spectator, and Jamie’s leadership will be critical in continuing to drive future growth, for both the Auction and the Washington wine industry.”
Former Executive Director Shelley Tomberg stepped down from her role at the end of January 2019 after 1 ½ years in the role. Her work contributed to the Auction’s 2018 weekend of events raising a record-breaking $4.3 million for Seattle Children’s and Washington State University’s Wine Science Research.
“We are delighted to have Jamie as our Executive Director,” said Ted Baseler, Board Director, Auction of Washington Wines. “She has remarkable experience in the wine industry.”
AWW’s Board of Directors comprised of business, community and wine industry veterans will continue to offer leadership. The team leverages the skills of seasoned leaders, including Laura Kleinhofs (Director, Marketing & Business), Stacey Donahue (Director, Operations & Events), Alexis Ip (Senior Events Manager) and Melissa Riley (Development Assistant) – as well as a team of vendors and other dedicated professionals.
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, AWW has raised more than $46 million, benefitting Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by AWW give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington wine industry and families in our communities around the region. The 2019 Auction of Washington Wines Events will take place August 15-17, 2019. Major sponsors include Wells Fargo, CenturyLink, Chateau Ste. Michelle, The John L. Scott Foundation, King 5, The Seattle Times and Wine Spectator Magazine. AWW was ranked among 2018’s top three highest-earning charity wine auctions in the nation by Wine Spectator Magazine. For more information, go to www.AuctionofWaWines.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
