Joseph Phelps: Newsletter

News & Events
	Spring/Summer 2003 General Winery News Wine Industry Profile Uncorked! New Releases Personnel Corner Customer News Awards and Reviews

Employee Comings & Goings

Opening an ice cream franchise in Florida and specializing in wine industry law are the diverse aspirations of Jeff Hunsaker, JPV’s former Director of Hospitality, and Hilary de Puy, National Events Coordinator, respectively, as they say goodbye to their colleagues at JPV and leave to pursue their dreams outside the wine industry. Both have provided close to ten years of exemplary service at JPV and they will be sorely missed.

Jeff is moving his family to Sarasota, where he will explore an entrepreneurial opportunity as a franchise owner of several planned Coldstone Creamery stores. The customer service skills Jeff brought to JPV and the business experience he acquired during his service to the company will undoubtedly provide the foundation for great success in his new venture. Under Jeff’s tenure, retail sales at the winery increased from an annual level of less than $500,000 to more than 6 million dollars in 2002.

Although it is impossible to measure in financial terms the impact of her many contributions to Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Hilary DePuy brought a high level of professionalism to her position as events coordinator while simultaneously pursuing her studies toward a law degree. After sitting for the California Bar in July, 2002 she learned on November 22nd that she had passed! Hilary’s tenacity and strength of will has been an inspiration to everyone who works with her.

The newest addition to the JPV team is Mike McEvoy, an East Coast transplant who most recently was the Marketing Manager for Boordy Vineyards in Hydes, Maryland. Mike has an MBA from the University of Baltimore and will be JPV’s new Director of Marketing.

Molly Britton, who many of our customers know through her administration of the Phelps Preferred club, has accepted a promotion to the position of Hospitality Director, taking over Jeff’s job. Molly is the ideal candidate to lead the retail room and hospitality department through this transition, and she will be assisted by Trey Blankenship, who takes over management of the retail sales center.

Additionally, Duane Harris is the new Director of Customer Service, taking over Molly’s Phelps Preferred duties. Duane has previous wine club management and customer service experience with Cuvaison Winery in Calistoga and Ledson Winery in Kenwood.

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