NapaValley

Confirmed Speakers

• Tim Jahnigen
  One World Futbol co-inventor, he is known as a creative problem solver. He creates and develops systems and technologies with patents pending in a diverse range of industries, from construction and banking to science and medicine.
• Ed Matovcik
  President of Intervine, an international wine management company he earned his MBA from Columbia University in New York and has studied international business and brand management at the London Business School and Humboldt University in Berlin. Prior to entering the wine industry, Ed served as a Chief of Staff for the US Congress for 16 years. A local Napan himself, Ed with his wife Cheryl are the proud foster parents of over 40 dogs (and counting) from the Napa County Animal Shelter. Ed’s passion for fostering dogs has recently inspired him to create short YouTube films of some of the foster dogs featuring pictures and video set to music to promote animal fostering and adoption. Whether it’s a wine company, the political arena, or just in his own home with the ‘pack’ Ed’s years of management experience have led to some inspiring and humorous stories that we can all relate to.
• Mark Brewer
  Principal of Napa County’s newest high school, American Canyon High School.
• Nicolette Hahn Niman
  Nicolette is an attorney and livestock rancher. Much of her time is spent speaking and writing about the problems resulting from industrialized livestock production, including the book Righteous Porkchop: Finding a Life and Good Food Beyond Factory Farms
• Geni Whitehouse
  Geni is the is the author of How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard. A self proclaimed nerd, former technology executive and former CPA firm partner Geni Whitehouse has made it her to mission to eliminate boring from the world of presentations. A frequent speaker at events around the country she has been called the “comedian CPA“. She regularly shares her nerdy insights in her role as Countess of Comunications at Brotemarkle, Davis and Co. LLP in St. Helena.
• Robert Romano
  BookheadEd founder & CEO and creator of StudySync , M.A. in Literature and the Teaching of Writing, developed the successful, award-winning EdVantage Software with renowned educator James Moffet, which sold to Riverdeep Interactive in 2001. A successful entrepreneur, Romano is committed to assembling top academic and creative talent to produce innovative, effective educational technology for today’s students.
• Kyle Weiss
  Kyle co-founded FUNDaFIELD.org in 2006 when he was just 13 years old to raise money to help build soccer fields for kids in Africa. FUNDaFIELD.org has raised more than $138,000, constructed eight soccer fields in Africa, held four soccer tournaments, and delivered uniforms, soccer balls and other necessary supplies. Kyle is about to start his first semester at Claremont McKenna College in Southern California. FUNDaFIELD continues to expand rapidly each year.
• Chuck Mc Minn
  Chuck is the Executive Director of the Napa Valley Vine Trail. He is the Co-owner of Vineyard 29 located just north of St. Helena. Chuck has been recognized as the 2011 Napa Chamber Community Booster of the Year.