Gavin Newsom, Founder
Hilary Newsom, President
Jeremy Scherer, Executive Vice President
Kristina Jetton, Vice President of Human Resources
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 joined the PlumpJack Group in 1996 as Director of Marketing for the company and was named President of this hospitality management group in early 2009. Newsom oversees the day-to-day operations, finance and marketing that is inherent in the 14 individual businesses while also focusing on new development opportunities for the PlumpJack Group.

In her role as President, Hilary Newsom guides and collaborates with each of the departments. Additionally, she plays an integrated role in investor relations. Newsom works closely with the Executive Vice President on decisions regarding new business concepts, location and design. Newsom has been instrumental in conception, construction, and opening of the many PlumpJack businesses. Newsom also guides the PlumpJack Marketing Department in the design and implementation of all marketing materials, programs and initiatives that help to build and drive the brand. Newsom works closely with the Vice President of Finance in budget preparation, financial accountability and investor relations.

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 Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) along with her husband, Geoff Callan, Newsom also created the annual PlumpJack/LINK Golf Classic, which benefits the CPIC's breast cancer research and education programs and has raised over $2 million dollars for the fight against breast cancer. 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, location and design.

Scherer came on board full time with the PlumpJack Management Group in 2000 and has assisted in conception through the opening of multiple PlumpJack properties including Balboa Mill Valley and assisted with the development of CADE Winery, PlumpJack Group’s latest venture. Scherer oversees the operations of both retail wine stores and is responsible for investor communication, insurance, banking and legal permitting for the Group.

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 and General Manager of PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn
With a strong foundation in hospitality management, Kristina Jetton, Vice President of Human Resources and 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 Vice President of Human Resources for PlumpJack Management Group. In that capacity she handles all employment-related issues for the 14 PlumpJack properties, including recruitment, employee relations, training and benefits administration.

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.

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 on 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 Auberge 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 Waikoloa Hawaii, and Resident Manger Honolulu Hawaii, among others.

Kendall and his wife have called Napa home for over 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 responsible for all aspects of Finance and Accounting for the 14 businesses. 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
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