The Lodi Winegrape Commission announced the appointment of Matthew Hoffman to the position of Grower Program Coordinator and the promotion of Jenny Heitman to Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Heitman has been working at the Commission as Marketing Assistant for the past 8 months and assumed her new role at the beginning of the month. Hoffman begins in his new role on Monday, October 29.

Heitman will be responsible for the Marketing, PR and Communications programs including working on the exciting LoCA: The Wines of Lodi California advertising campaign in conjunction with Sacramento-based ad agency MeringCarson and working with the Commission’s San Francisco-based public relations firm, Charles Communications Associates. Additionally, she will be driving many of the Commission’s promotions for special events, meetings, activities and workshops.

“Jenny brings a wealth of passion for the Lodi community and the wine industry paired with experience in hospitality, culinary and retail segments will prove to be amazing for the growers and wineries of the Lodi region,” noted Camron King, Lodi Winegrape Commission Executive Director.

Hoffman’s responsibilities will be in the areas of grower education and outreach, research and sustainability, including Lodi’s world renowned Lodi Rules sustainable certification program. Hoffman comes to the Commission with a wealth of knowledge in the community, grape growing and having done Graduate research work at UC Davis with PhD specializations in sustainability science, agriculture and food system governance and social network analysis.

“Matthew is a valuable addition to the Lodi team. He brings knowledge of grape growing, a strong background in understanding sustainability and the drivers behind decision making and connections with the academic and research communities that will help continue to drive Lodi as an innovator in the wine world,” King stated.

Both Heitman and Hoffman grew up in the Lodi area and have strong ties to the community and region.

The Lodi Winegrape Commission, established in 1991, strives to serve the common interests of all Lodi Crush District 11 winegrape producers and to enhance the profitability of winegrape production through promotion, research and education. The Lodi Winegrape Commission represents 760 winegrowers farming nearly 100,000 acres of winegrapes.