The Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association (NWGGA) has hired Jennifer Montgomery as the organization’s new executive director. Montgomery comes to the NWGGA after a 10-year stint with WineAmerica, the national trade association of American Wineries, in Washington, D.C.

While with WineAmerica, she served as director of grassroots and political affairs. Her primary responsibilities in that position included lobbying members of Congress and working with and reporting on public policy developments. Issues of responsibility included those related to agriculture, research, immigration/labor, and taxes, among others.

“We‘re very excited to have a person with Jennifer’s experience and background as our new Executive Director,” said Seth McFarland, president of the NWGGA. “She not only has a wealth of experience for this job, but she also has an incredible background in the wine industry. And, because of her involvement with Wine America, she’s very familiar with Nebraska wines.”

A native of Blacksburg, Virginia,  Montgomery earned her bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Radford University. Prior to her time at WineAmerica, she worked for the Lindl Corporation, a public relations and lobbying firm in Richmond, Virginia, was the media coordinator for the Richmond Association of Realtors and was also a reporter for the Roanoke Times and World News.

She will become the NWGGA’s first full-time executive director, and has already begun her duties.
The NWGGA represents the Nebraska wine and grape Industry, and is leading the industry toward economic viability and sustainability. The Association’s mission is to:
• Promote and develop the Nebraska wine and grape industry, its members interests and activities
• Promote industry excellence and quality assurance thereby enhancing the market ability of the industry and its products.
• Promote education, internally for its members and externally for the greater community…and to do so in the spirit of cooperation and continuous improvement.

There are currently 25 farm wineries in the state and over 400 acres of grapes being grown.