Gavin Newsom, Founder
Hilary Newsom, President
Jeremy Scherer, Executive Vice President
Kristina Jetton, Vice President of Human Resources
Adam Ross, Vice President of Restaurant Operations
Philip Kendall, Vice President Resort Operations
Milham D. Wakin, Vice President of Finance


GAVIN NEWSOM, Founder, PlumpJack Group
Gavin Newsom is a fourth generation San Franciscan who has rapidly excelled in both the public and private sectors since his graduation from Santa Clara University in 1989, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

In 1992, Newsom opened his first business, PlumpJack Wines, combining his passion for wine and his driving entrepreneurial spirit. The PlumpJack Group portfolio has since grown to include PlumpJack Cafe Squaw Valley, PlumpJack Balboa Cafe (San Francisco and Mill Valley), PlumpJack Winery, PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, MATRIXFILLMORE, two PlumpJackSport retail clothing stores, a second PlumpJack Wines in Noe Valley, The Carneros Inn, a luxury resort in Napa Valley, FARM at The Carneros Inn, Boon Fly Cafe, The Orchard Residences at The Carneros Inn and CADE Winery.

"PlumpJack is about demystifying the wine buying experience and removing the intimidation factor, two elements that were in short supply in the wine world in 1992 when the store opened. Suddenly there was a place where consumers could learn about wines in a friendly, helpful atmosphere, where they could feel free to ask questions, where the selection was large and the prices fair, and where -- in homage to the store's Shakespearean namesake -- wine was once more associated with the spirit of fun and adventure. Slowly we're seeing others in the business take our lead because they realize that that's what the consumer wants," says Newsom. He believes that his inexperience was and is his greatest asset. "Inexperience allows us to throw out the tired, old way of doing business and approach things in a new and unique way, looking at it from a different perspective than anyone else."

On December 9, 2003 Gavin Newsom was elected the 42nd Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco. He was sworn into office on January 8, 2004 by his father, the Honorable William A. Newsom. Prior to becoming mayor, Newsom was elected three times to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and served on the Board from 1997 - 2004. While supervisor, he worked with residents from every corner of the city to restore neighborhood parks, sponsored legislation implementing Rescue Muni's reform plan and helped put Municipal Railway on the road to recovery. While on the board of supervisors, Newsom was confronted with San Francisco's greatest challenge, homelessness. Newsom quickly rose to the challenge and emerged with the most comprehensive reform of homeless policy in a generation. Mayor Newsom continues to advocate bold ideas as the driving force of his administration. His administration draws upon San Francisco's greatest asset -- the diversity and the talents of its people -- to meet any challenges that face the City.

HILARY NEWSOM, President
Hilary Newsom brings more than 15 years of retailing and management experience to her role as president of the PlumpJack Group. As president of the highly successful management company, Newsom is responsible for overseeing numerous day-to-day operations inherent to the management and marketing of the PlumpJack brand.

Newsom works closely with the marketing director on all aspects of the marketing department for each individual business under the PlumpJack umbrella. As such, she is instrumental in the design and implementation of all marketing materials, programs and initiatives that help to build and drive the brand. Primary responsibilities of her role also include creating the marketing plans for all the PlumpJack entities, administering internal marketing fundamentals to employees, creating and overseeing marketing budgets, merchandising, and buying for the winery tasting room, and generating and implementing PlumpJack events.

As the public figure and one of the spokespeople for the PlumpJack Group, Newsom is vocal in communicating business status and key messages of each PlumpJack group business to investors, journalists, and the general public.

Newsom is also responsible for assisting Executive Vice President Jeremy Scherer on decisions regarding new business concepts, design and location. She has been instrumental in the conception, construction, and opening many of the PlumpJack businesses, including the two PlumpJackSport Stores, Noe Valley Wines, PlumpJack Winery and the Phase Two of The Carneros Inn. She will be an integral part of the design, planning and implementation of the planned expansion of the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn.

In Winter 2002, Newsom launched PlumpJack into the apparel retailing trade with the opening of PlumpJackSport, an energetic, design-driven retail store that high profile clothing lines of Metropolis, Erin Snow, Rossignol, Salomon and MonCler.

A highly qualified merchant, with experience in several facets of the apparel business, she has worked for some of the strongest brands in that industry. Prior to joining PlumpJack, Newsom worked as a merchandise manager for the Women's Division for A/X Armani Exchange in New York. She gained immeasurable experience when based at the corporation's headquarters in Milan, Italy, where she created a new department for the Emporio Armani Division and held the position of retail sales analyst. Newsom has also held positions with esteemed retail companies such as Donna Karan New York International Division and Banana Republic, a division of Gap Inc.

Passionate about philanthropy, Newsom is an energetic fundraiser for many charitable organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently sits on the board of the Northern California Cancer Center (NCCC). Along with her husband, Geoff Callan, Newsom also created the annual PlumpJack/LINK Golf Classic, which benefits the NCCC's breast cancer research and education programs. Newsom has been profiled in Women's Wear Daily, PaperCity Magazine, 7x7 Magazine and San Francisco MODA. She resides in San Francisco with her two daughters and husband.

JEREMY SCHERER, Executive Vice President, PlumpJack Group
Jeremy Scherer began with the PlumpJack Family over 15 years ago with the opening of the first PlumpJack business, PlumpJack Wines. Over the years Jeremy has touched virtually every facet of PlumpJack, including, working at Balboa Cafe; PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn; PlumpJack Wines and in the accounting department.

As Executive Vice President, Scherer is responsible for the operations of the company’s business including: new business development, preparation of business plans and investment proposals, fundraising, construction management, legal and zoning permitting, the creation and execution of strategic planning for PlumpJack Group and its properties, as well as collaborating with President Hilary Newsom on decisions regarding new business concepts, design and location.

Scherer came on board full time with PlumpJack Management Group in 2000 and has since assisted from conception to the opening of multiple PlumpJack properties. Scherer was responsible for investor communication, insurance, banking and legal permitting for the Group. He was instrumental in the development, construction, and opening of Balboa Mill Valley and assisted with the development of CADE Winery, PlumpJack Group’s latest venture. In addition to overseeing all new development projects, Scherer is also responsible for the operations of both retail wine stores.

Scherer brings a wealth of project planning and construction management experience and has been an integral part of PlumpJack’s success and history.

KRISTINA JETTON, Vice President of Human Resources

With a strong foundation in hospitality management, Kristina Jetton, General Manager of PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, has a role in every aspect of the resort. Guest service skill enhancement, resort and grounds operation, PlumpJack Cafe and Food and Beverage are only the some of the areas that come under Jetton’s control as GM of the property. Her familiarity with PlumpJack businesses comes from her two years as Director of Human Resources for PlumpJack Management Group. In that capacity she handled all employment-related issues for the 14 PlumpJack properties, including recruitment, employee relations, training and benefits administration as well as serving on the Leadership Team for the corporate group.

Prior to joining PlumpJack, Jetton has worked as a Director of Human Resources and Training for over 10 years with Auberge Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in the Wine Country, at both Calistoga Ranch and the Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Previous to her Human Resources and Training experience, Kristina spent 15 years in hotel operations with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Hyatt Hotels. She was part of the opening team of the first Mandarin Hotel in North America. Jetton brings a unique understanding of hotel management and organization to hospitality operations. Born and raised in Switzerland, Kristina attended the University of Switzerland and graduated from California State University, Long Beach. She holds a certificate in Training and Human Resource Development as well as a Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the University of California Berkeley, and is a graduate of the Covey Institute.

ADAM ROSS, Vice President of Restaurant Operations

During his four years with Real Restaurant Group, Adam was the General Manager over several Bay Area restaurants, including the landmark Fog City Diner in San Francisco. Prior to Real Restaurant Group, he was part of Houston’s Restaurants Inc., one of the nations’ premiere corporate restaurant groups, where he managed three high volume multi - million dollar locations in California. Adam was also with Creative Theme Restaurants Incorporated (CTRI) in Los Angeles. At CTRI, he was the regional manager and oversaw both Saddle Ranch and Miyagi’s, an $8 million sushi restaurant and lounge.

Adam brings a wide variety of restaurant operation and management expertise ranging from night clubs to neighborhood restaurants to signature dining ventures. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tulane University in 1994.

PHILIP KENDALL, Vice President Resort Operations

With a wealth of experience in hotel management, Philip Kendall joined the PlumpJack Group in 2008 as the General Manager of The Carneros Inn. In 2009 he took over a larger role as Vice President of Resort Operations, including the oversight of PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn in Olympic Valley in 2009.

As Vice President of Resort Operations, Kendall provides overall direction and guidance to the operational activities at the two resort properties, including the onsite restaurants FARM at The Carneros Inn, The Boon Fly Café, Hilltop Dining Room and PlumpJack Cafe Squaw Valley as well as room presentation and Spa activities at The Carneros Inn. He is responsible for maximizing growth and profitability as well as day-to-day leadership and management to all company operation functions. He works closely with PlumpJack President, Hilary Newsom, and the corporate office in expanding the PlumpJack Management Group. Most recently, Kendall spearheaded a consulting partnership with Southfork Landing, a resort development outside of Boise, Idaho.

Before joining PlumpJack, Kendall led Auberges Resorts as General Manager of Calistoga Ranch, and prior to that as Corporate Director of Operations. His hotel management experience also includes positions as Vice President of Food & Beverage for both Starwood and Hyatt Hotels, including General Manager Grand Cayman, Resident Manager Waikola Hawaii, and Resident Manger Honolulu Hawaii, among others.

Kendall and his wife have called Napa home for six years and enjoy the bounty of their surroundings. Kendall’s colleagues at The Carneros Inn enjoy his leadership and dedication to an excellent hospitality product.

MILHAM D. WAKIN, Vice President of Finance

As Vice President of Finance for the PlumpJack Group, Milham Wakin is a member of the PlumpJack senior leadership team and is responsible for all aspects of Finance and Accounting for the 14 businesses, with annual revenues exceeding $57 million in 2008. In his position, Wakin oversees monthly cash and profitability forecasts, advises and collaborates on key business strategies to insure business viability, handles banking loan compliance and works with Executive Vice President, Jeremy Scherer, on banking negotiation and relationship management. In addition to all of these duties, Wakin supervises Accounting staff in the PlumpJack home office, three property controllers and remote accounting offices.

Prior to his current position, Milham worked as the Controller for the PlumpJack Management Group, and previous to that, as Director of Finance and I.T. for PlumpJack Hotels, LLC and The Carneros Inn. With over 25 years of hospitality accounting and finance experience, his in-depth knowledge of the roll of financial modeling and accounting in the hospitality industry has been of great worth to the PlumpJack Group. Previous to his work with PlumpJack, Wakin served as Controller for a number of hospitality and service organizations, including Meadowood Napa Valley in St. Helena.


3138 FILLMORE STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123
415-346-5712 TEL 415-474-8792 FAX