May 18, 2026 (Washington, DC) — WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries™, recently implemented several changes in leadership for the next two years. The changes are part of a normal process to blend long experience with new energy and ideas as a way to advance the association’s mission.
WineAmerica’s mission is to encourage dynamic growth and development of American wineries and vineyards through the advancement of sound public policy.
Michael Kaiser, a 20-year veteran of WineAmerica, has been promoted to Executive Director, with new responsibilities added to his prior role as Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs.
Jim Trezise will continue as President, a role he has occupied for nine years after serving for 20 years on the WineAmerica Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Dana Huber, of Huber Vineyards in Indiana, has moved to Chair of the WineAmerica Board of Directors after serving two years as Vice Chair following two prior years as Treasurer.
Chris Brundrett, William Chris Vineyards in Texas, is now Vice Chair after serving as Treasurer for the past two years.
Marie Chantal-Dalese, Chateau Chantal in Michigan, has become the new Treasurer after serving on the Board for several years.
Scott Osborn, Fox Run Vineyards in New York’s Finger Lakes region, will remain on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.
Other members of the Executive Committee include Marty Clubb, Co-Owner of L’Ecole No. 41 in Walla Walla, Washington, and Jana McKamey, Executive Director of the Oregon Winegrowers Association. Debra Dommen, Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs of Treasury Wine Estates Americas Company and a former Board Chair, was asked to remain involved as an unofficial advisor.
Mirroring the national wine community which WineAmerica represents, the new leadership team is diverse in terms of geography, winery size, and legislative priorities. The long planned Board changes were made official on May 6 at the Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC, and will remain in effect for the next two years.
The business meeting was part of a two day “Fly-In” when WineAmerica members from around the country convened and attended nearly 80 meetings in the offices of their Senators and Representatives. The purpose was to convey, in person, the legislative and regulatory priorities of WineAmerica’s national membership.
Michael Kaiser was originally hired as “the label guy” when label approvals were still done by mail, and he served the industry by working directly with the Tax and Trade Bureau to get the labels approved. Building on his connections, a highlight of the recent DC meetings was an in-person meeting with TTB leadership at their offices, when WineAmerica members could ask questions in person. Over two decades, Michael has grown into roles of increasing responsibility. As Executive Director, he will continue in his roles as the director of government affairs and principal administrator while adding responsibilities involving membership development and strategic planning execution.
Michael Kaiser is the main voice of WineAmerica on Capitol Hill, taking WineAmerica’s message to Members of Congress and their staff. Michael is also the main point of contact between the organization and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and other federal agencies and handles general regulatory concerns for WineAmerica members.
Michael is a regular fixture at industry trade shows and conferences throughout the country and handles press inquiries related to public policy. He has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, Reuters, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator.
Prior to joining WineAmerica, Michael provided research and logistical support to two DC based lobbying firms. He also handled compliance issues with a major political party. Michael earned his BA in American Studies and Political Science from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ and a MA in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.
Jim Trezise has been a wine industry trade association executive since 1982, with the first three decades representing the grape and wine industry of New York State while also serving on many national and international Boards of Directors, including WineAmerica. He will serve as the primary “public face and ambassador” of WineAmerica in various capacities; leading the organization’s branding, marketing and educational efforts; and collaborating with many other organizations.
Jim Trezise became President of WineAmerica in 2017 after serving more than 20 years on the organization’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Jim has been involved with the grape and wine industry since 1982. He was President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which he co-created in 1985.
Jim has served on the boards of national and international organizations involved with public policy, research, marketing, and trade. He has received several national awards or accolades for his contributions to the American wine industry. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and judges in many wine competitions around the world.
Jim earned a B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College, and an M.A. in International Communications from American University in Washington, DC. He lives and works on Keuka Lake in New York’s fabulous Finger Lakes wine region.
Dana Huber, and her husband Ted Huber, were honored at the White House on May 4, the night before the WineAmerica meetings, at a special celebration of small businesses in America, with Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery representing the best from Indiana.Located in Starlight Indiana near Louisville, KY,Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery art part of a seventh-generation diversified operation covering 700 acres and including a Farm Market, UPick, and Family Farm Park.
Dana Huber currently holds the position of Vice President, Advocacy and Public Relations at Huber Winery & Starlight Distillery. Dana attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN where she received her bachelor’s degree from the Kelley School of Business. Prior to joining the family business in 2003, Dana worked for Humana, Citicorp, and Kindred Healthcare. Her passion and expertise are with people and project management. Dana is very active in her community and currently serves on the following boards:
WineAmerica, First Harrison Bank Board, Indiana University Southeast Board of Directors, and Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority. Dana is very engaged with local tourism WineAmerica, First Harrison Bank Board, Indiana University Southeast Board of Directors, and Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority. Dana is very engaged with local tourism efforts and is always finding ways to spread the word about family-owned businesses and agritourism.
Dana’s responsibilities include advocacy, public relations, community outreach, along with sales & distribution. Dana is married to co-owner & 6th generation family member, Ted Huber, and has two sons – Christian & Blake.
Chris Brundrett is a leading figure in the Texas wine industry, celebrated for his unwavering advocacy for the region’s winegrowing community. He is a partner ,CEO and Director of Winegrowing at William Chris Winery in the historic town of Hye in Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg. Founded in 2008, William Chris Vineyards was named No. 31 on the World’s 50 Best Vineyards list, and Chris has received frequent accolades, including Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers list.
Chris Brundrett is a leading figure in the Texas wine industry, celebrated for his unwavering advocacy for the region’s winemakers, grape growers, AVAs, and continues to put Texas on the global stage. While pursuing a horticulture degree at Texas A&M University, Chris gained invaluable hands-on experience in the Texas Hill Country, working in both vineyards and wineries. This foundation propelled him into head winemaking roles for several labels, managing vineyard properties across the Hill Country and the High Plains before co-founding William Chris Vineyards with Bill Blackmon in 2008.
Chris’s innovative approach and dedication have earned widespread recognition. In 2018, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named him a winemaker changing the face of American wine, and in 2020, he was honored as one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, spotlighting individuals shaping the future of the beverage and hospitality industries. Under his leadership, William Chris Vineyards has achieved global acclaim, earning a place on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Vineyards list and expanding its reach through growing international distribution, bringing Texas wine to audiences around the world.
Today, as CEO and Director of Winegrowing for William Chris Wine Company, Chris oversees a portfolio of celebrated brands distributed both nationally and internationally, including William Chris Vineyards, Skeleton Key, Grower Project, Uplift Vineyard, Wine for the People, Rebecca Caroline, and Sway Rosé. He remains committed to crafting world-class wines that embody the spirit of Texas while elevating the state’s presence on the global wine stage. Chris lives in the Texas Hill Country with his wife, Katharine, and their two young daughters.
Marie-Chantal Dalese is the President and CEO of Chateau Chantal, an award-winning winery and luxury inn, on Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, Michigan. Marie, for whom the chateau is named, is a marketing and management specialist. The operation was created in 1980 on a 65-acre cherry farm, which has now become a destination in a wine region often rated among the top tourist destinations in the country.
Marie-Chantal Dalese Marie-Chantal Dalese serves as the company’s President & CEO since 2015. She is a marketing and management specialist with a unique graduate education in the wine business. She is the daughter of the founder and namesake for the Chateau growing up on the Chateau estate. She formerly served as Director of Marketing with Chateau Chantal and Secretary for the company. She previously worked with Connoisseur Wines, Inc as an Office Manager/Sales Representative/Marketing Assistant. Prior to that, she worked with Binny’s Beverage Depot in Chicago as a Wine Consultant and Chateau Chantal in various functions. Marie-Chantal has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Management from DePaul University, Chicago and a Graduate diploma in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA Australia. She also completed the Roseworthy Wine Tasting Program in Adelaide and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. She serves on the board of directors for Traverse City Tourism and WineAmerica.
About WineAmerica
WineAmerica was created 48 years ago, in 1978 in Watkins Glen, NY, as a small regional organization representing a few eastern states. Over the years it has broadened its representation to include the largest to smallest wine-producing states, and dozens in between.
WineAmerica also includes a State and Regional Associations Advisory Council, with 30 associations from 20 states, which provides great networking opportunities as well as national grassroots legislative power.
