The 430-member winery Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association has hired Becky Peterson to lead its efforts in interfacing with the Napa County community and its growing membership in this newly created position. Peterson comes uniquely qualified to step into this role as it is part of much of the programing she helped develop when at the NVV from 1997 to 2005.

"We're thrilled to have Becky returning to our team to assist in fulfilling the NVV's new Strategic Plan, giving even greater emphasis on helping our dramatically growing membership, while also taking care of our greater community," said NVV Executive Director Linda Reiff. "Becky is uniquely qualified for this position. She is a Napa County native, worked at member wineries, helped the NVV become a great organization, and went on to lead a national non-profit. During our search it became clear that her experience and enthusiasm made her the ideal candidate."

Peterson relocated to Alabama in late 2005 to pursue a lifelong dream of leading the national organization, Distinguished Young Women, which is based in Mobile. After reviving the once-dying 55-year-old non-profit group that positively impacts the lives of girls and young women, it was time to return home to the Napa Valley. While in Mobile, Peterson founded a number of key initiatives in the non-profit business community, eventually being recognized as Mobile Professional Woman of the Year in 2010.

NVV Industry Relations Director Rex Stults will take on the new title of Government Relations Director and will work more deeply with elected and appointed officials at the local, state, federal and international levels to represent the interests of the NVV and its members.

"Rex has been a master of many universes overseeing industry, community and member relations. We're excited that he'll now have the opportunity to focus completely on government relations as our challenges and opportunities in these areas have grown exponentially in the past few years. From fighting the prospect of a casino in the Ag Preserve here at home, to working to gain Napa name recognition in China, he has plenty of ground to cover for the Napa wine industry."

The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents 430 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about our region and its legendary American wines, visit www.napavintners.com