Board of Directors

Alex Ryan has served as our President since 2005, our Chief Executive Officer since 2011 and our Chairman of the board of directors since 2012. Mr. Ryan previously served as our General Manager and Chief Operating Officer beginning in 2000. Mr. Ryan moved to St. Helena in 1976 and began working at Duckhorn part-time during high school and joined the Company full-time after earning his degree in viticulture from California State University at Fresno in 1988. Mr. Ryan was the Vineyard Manager throughout the early 1990s, and later became the Vice President of Vineyard and Winery Operations. In the years since he became President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ryan successfully launched the Migration brand, featuring the first Chardonnay in the Company’s three-decade history, rolled out an expanded Decoy line, established Canvasback in Washington State and spearheaded the acquisitions of Calera Wine Company in 2017 and Kosta Browne in 2018. Mr. Ryan was honored as the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards Wine Executive of the Year in 2018. We believe Mr. Ryan’s extensive knowledge of the wine industry and his experience as a member of our management team qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Daniel Costello has served as a director since 2016. Mr. Costello joined TSG Consumer Partners in 2007 and currently serves as Managing Director and member of the Investment Committee. Prior to TSG Consumer Partners, Mr. Costello served as an investment banker with Wachovia Securities. Mr. Costello holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Miami University. We believe Mr. Costello’s experience as a managing director of a private equity firm and as a director of various companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Melanie Cox has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Backcountry.com LLC, a leading online retailer of premium outdoor sports gear and apparel, since June 2020. She has also served on its board of directors since March 2020. In July 2020, she was appointed to, and currently serves on, the board of directors, as well as the audit and compensation committees of Revolve Group, Inc. From April 2017 until June 2020, and from April 2009 until April 2015, Ms. Cox served as founder and Chief Executive Officer of MBC Consulting, where she advised private equity firms on retail strategy and diligence and also held interim chief executive officer roles at rue21 and American Laser Skincare. From April 2015 through March 2017, Ms. Cox served as managing director at Versa Capital Management, a private equity firm, where she also served as Chief Executive Officer on its behalf at Wet Seal. Each of rue21 and Wet Seal filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in May 2017 and February 2017, respectively. Prior to Versa Capital Management, Ms. Cox held executive-level positions at various companies and private equity firms, including Scoop NYC, Gymboree, Urban Outfitters, Contempo Casuals, Wet Seal, Prentice Capital and Cerberus Capital Management. Ms. Cox completed coursework in American studies at the University of Texas at Austin. We believe Ms. Cox’s experience as managing director of a private equity firm and as a director of various companies qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.

Charles Esserman has served as a director since 2016. Mr. Esserman has over 30 years of private equity investment experience and co-founded TSG Consumer Partners, where he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Investment Committee. Prior to TSG Consumer Partners, Mr. Esserman was with Bain & Company. Mr. Esserman holds a Bachelors of Science in electrical engineering and computer science, with top honors, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar. We believe Mr. Esserman’s experience as co-founder and chief executive officer of a private equity firm and as a director of various companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Michelle Gloeckler has served as a director since 2021. From 2016-2019 she was the Chief Merchant and President International at Academy Sports + Outdoors. Michelle was an executive at Walmart from 2009-2016 where she led Health & Wellness, Pharmacy, Consumables, Home and Grocery categories over her career. In addition, she led the President’s Global Council of Women Leaders and the US Manufacturing commitment for Walmart. Prior to Walmart, Ms. Gloeckler spent 21 years at The Hershey Company in various sales and marketing executive roles. Michelle Gloeckler currently serves on the Board of Directors of BJ’s Wholesale Club where she sits on the nominating and governance committee. She served on Benson Hill Board and audit committee from 2019 - 2021. She is an advisor to Blendid, GO-2 Devices and is a member of the LSA Dean’s Advisory Council at University of Michigan. She was recognized as a Fortune Most Powerful Woman and has served on various not for profit boards to include Walton Arts Center, NACDS, Komen of the Ozarks, Network of Executive Women (National Chair) and United Way. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Psychology from the University of Michigan. We believe Ms. Gloeckler’s experience in retail, CPG and her executive leadership qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.

Adriel Lares has served as a director since 2021. He brings with him a tenured track record of public and private financial operations and reporting. Mr. Lares is currently the CFO of Stash, a subscription platform empowering middle-class Americans to invest and build wealth. He has served in that role since July 2021. Prior to that Mr. Lares served as the CFO of Fastly, Inc., where he was instrumental in the company’s recent financing events, including its initial public offering and second public offering in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Prior to Fastly, Inc., Mr. Lares served as an advisor and CFO to Lookout, Inc., a mobile security firm. During his tenure at Lookout, Inc. Mr. Lares completed the company’s Series E capital raise. From September 2010 to February 2012, Mr. Lares served as Business Unit Manager of 3PAR Inc., a data storage and information storage software company. From January 2005 to September 2010, Mr. Lares served as Chief Financial Officer at 3PAR Inc., including during 3PAR’s sale to Hewlett Packard. Mr. Lares has also served in various capacities at 3PAR, including company treasurer and director of finance. Mr. Lares is a co-founder of Memento Mori, a Napa-based winery. Mr. Lares earned his BA in Economics from Stanford University. We believe Mr. Lares’ extensive knowledge of public operations and reporting, and his work as a director of various companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Deirdre Mahlan currently serves on the board of directors of Distilled Spirits Council US and Experian PLC, which represents leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States. Additionally, she currently sits as chair of its audit committee. From October 2015 to June 2020, she served as President of Diageo North America, where she oversaw Diageo’s US and Canadian spirits and beer businesses. From October 2010 to October 2015, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Diageo plc, prior to which she was Deputy Financial Officer and before that Head of Tax and Treasury. Ms. Mahlan joined Diageo in 2001, having held various senior finance roles in Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. since 1992 and having formerly been a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Experian plc in September 2012 and is also a Member of the Main Committee of the 100 Group of Finance Directors. Ms. Mahlan received her Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance and international business from Columbia University, and her bachelor’s degree in accounting from New York University. We believe Ms. Mahaln’s extensive knowledge of the industry and as a director of various companies qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.

James O’Hara has served as a director since 2016. Mr. O’Hara joined TSG Consumer Partners in 1998 and currently serves as President and senior member of the Investment Committee. Mr. O’Hara is a former practicing corporate and securities attorney and a former consultant with Bain & Company. Mr. O’Hara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and philosophy and a JD, both from Georgetown University. We believe Mr. O’Hara’s experience as president of a private equity firm and as a director of various companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.