Governor Rick Snyder makes appointments to Grape and Wine Industry

Council
Friday, June 6, 2014
LANSING, Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments to the newly restructured
Grape and Wine Industry Council.
The 12-member Grape and Wine Industry Council is housed in the Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development. It was recreated by Executive Order 2014-6 to update appointment terms. The
council provides research on grapes and wine and provides marketing programs for Michigans wine
industry.
This board plays a key role to promote Michigans food and agriculture industry, Snyder said. I am
pleased to appoint such a talented and experienced group and I am confident they will do good
work.
Initial terms to expire Feb. 1, 2016:
Walter Brys, of Traverse City, is the proprietor of Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, which produces
between 5,000 and 6,500 cases of wine each year. Previously, Brys worked at Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Michigan and in real estate development. He earned a bachelors degree in business
administration from Western Michigan University. He will represent wine makers.
Mark Esterman, of Grand Rapids, isthe wine-spirits buyer and category manager for Meijer with over
25 years of experience working in the wine trade. He previously served as a consultant for Linens N
Things, The Berkeley Wine Co. LLC. and was owner of Linden Liquors Inc. He also served as a
prosecutors agent for the Union County Prosecutors Office. Esterman earned a bachelors degree in
political science from Arizona State University Tempe and a law degree from Lewis and Clark
College.He will represent people who operate a retail food establishment and holds a specially
designated merchant license to sell Michigan wines.
Joanna (Taylor) Simpson, of Lake Leelanau, is the sales, distribution and marketing manager for
Good Harbor Vineyards. She previously served in multiple capacities for Southern Wine and Spirits
in Chicago. Simpson earned a bachelors degree in Spanish and Latino studies from University of
Michigan. She will represent wine grape growers.


Initial terms to expire February 1, 2017:
William (Brien) Fox, of Ada, is the president and CEO of Henry A. Fox Sales Co. He previously
served in numerous capacities with the company as well as E&J Gallo Winery and Romano Brothers
Beverage Co. He serves on the board of directors of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers
Association and the executive committee of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America. Fox
earned a bachelors in business administration from the University of Notre Dame. He will represent
beer and wine wholesalers.
Martin Lagina, of Traverse City, is the president and CEO of Rock Management Group Ltd., owner
of Villa Mari, and founder and CEO of Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC. Lagina earned a bachelors
degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a law degree from
University of Michigan. He will represent wine makers.
Jeffrey Lemon, of Berrien Springs, is the owner, winemaker and treasurer of Lemon Creek Winery
Ltd. Lemon has 40 years of experience in the wine-making industry, starting at Lemon Creek Fruit
Farm in 1974 and progressing to the winery. He is chairman of the Oronoko Charter Township
Planning Committee. He will represent wine makers.
Richard Rinvelt, of Wixom, has extensive experience in the retail wine and beer industry, having
served in numerous capacities, including key account manager for Western and Northern Michigan,
category space manager Michigan and general manager for Anheuser Busch. He currently manages
family investments and has a small oil and gas business. Rinvelt is an Army veteran and earned a
bachelors degree in food distribution from Western Michigan University. He will represent the
general public.
Ex-Officio members:
Tino Breithaupt, of Traverse City, will serve as the CEO designee of the Michigan Economic
Development Corp. Breithaupt is the regional director of retention and growth for the MEDC. He
previously served as the senior vice president of economic development for the Traverse City Area
Chamber of Commerce. Breithaupt holds a bachelors degree in finance from Michigan State
University.
Stephen Lovejoy, of Haslett, will serve as the staff member recommended by the dean of the
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Michigan State University. Lovejoy is the associate
director for Michigan State University Extension and a professor in the universitys Departments of
Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics, Sociology, and Epidemiology. Lovejoy earned a
bachelors degree in sociology and political theory from Purdue University, a masters degree in
sociology from Minnesota State, and a Ph.D. in resource economics from Utah State University.
Sharon Martin, of Portland, will serve as the designee of the chairperson of the Liquor Control
Commission. Martin is the director of licensing for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission where
she plans, organizes, and directs the operational activities of the Licensing Division.
Gordon Wenk, of Williamston, will serve as the designee of the director of the Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development. Wenk is chief deputy director of the department and has worked
there for more than 35 years. He earned a bachelors degree in natural resource management and
agriculture from Michigan State University.
Appointments to the council are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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