Strategic Appointments Follow Faiveley Family’s Acquisition of Majority Stake in Russian River Valley Icon
August 4, 2025 (Healdsburg, CA) — August 4, 2025 — Williams Selyem, a pioneering producer of vineyard-designated Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, today announced the appointments of Philip O’Conor as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Michael Thomas as Chief Financial Officer, who, along with longtime Vice President and Director of Winemaking Jeff Mangahas, form the winery’s leadership team.
These strategic additions to the leadership team mark a new chapter in the Williams Selyem story, as the winery evolves under the Faiveley family’s stewardship. The Faiveley family, seventh-generation Burgundian vignerons, joined the winery as investors in 2020 and assumed majority ownership in 2024. Today, Erwan Faiveley serves as Chairman of Williams Selyem, while the former owner, John Dyson, retains a minority stake and remains an integral leader within the company. Winemaker Jeff Mangahas—celebrating his 15th vintage with the winery—continues to follow Burt Williams’ time-honored winemaking techniques, including foot treading in antique dairy tanks, whole-cluster fermentations, no fining or filtration, micro-lot vinification, and a gravity-flow process from the sorting line to the bottle. This partnership between two venerated producers ensures that a reverence for terroir and respect for tradition will continue to inform the Williams Selyem story for generations to come.
Philip O’Conor—Vice President of Sales & Marketing
O’Conor brings a global perspective to his role, with experience spanning sommelier positions in Michelin-starred restaurants, leadership roles for French and Napa Valley wine estates. Most recently, O’Conor served as General Manager of Napa Valley’s Wheeler Farms, working with the iconic Araujo family to elevate both the estate and its custom crush clients. He played a key role in the U.S. launch of Trinité Estate for Bordeaux luminaries Gonzague and Claire Lurton, while simultaneously serving as Brand Ambassador for their three Grand Cru Classé properties in Margaux and Pauillac. O’Conor earned a Master of Business Administration from the INSEEC Bordeaux International Wine Institute and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He holds the WSET Diploma and is a Stage Two Master of Wine candidate.
Michael Thomas—Chief Financial Officer
Thomas, a seasoned financial executive, joined Williams Selyem from Cakebread Cellars, where he was Chief Financial Officer. He has also held positions as Senior Vice President, Finance for Foley Family Wines and Chief Financial Officer for Rutherford Wine Company. His background also includes financial roles at E. & J. Gallo Winery and consumer goods companies such as KRAVE Pure Foods and Smashmallow. Thomas earned a Master of Business Administration with dual concentrations in Finance and Marketing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics, from the University of California, Davis. He holds the WSET Diploma and is currently pursuing a degree in Enology from Las Positas College.
ABOUT WILLIAMS SELYEM
Founded in 1978 and shaped over 45 years by Burt Williams and Ed Selyem, the Dysons, and now the Faiveley family, Williams Selyem is one of America’s most revered wineries. Credited with putting single-vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir on the map, the winery stands on a legacy of innovation, grower partnerships, and uncompromising quality. Today, with Winemaker Jeff Mangahas and the Faiveley family at the helm, Williams Selyem remains true to its founding ethos: to make the best wines from the best grapes from the best growers. For more information, please visit www.williamsselyem.com.
