Skip Navigation

Advisory Board

In early 2007, an advisory board was established for the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute. The role of the board is to serve as an advisory panel to the director. The board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: advise the director on establishing program (research, education, outreach and service) priorities; provide input in work planning; advise on structure of operations, policies and procedures; assist in fund raising and budget allocations; and assist with program evaluation.

The board includes representatives from Iowa State University and other educational institutions, Iowa grape and wine industry members, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Officers are elected annually.

Boardmembers:

Iowa State University stakeholder representatives
 Dr. Jeffery Iles, Chair, ISU Horticulture Department, Ames, IA
 Dr. John Lawrence, Associate Dean, ISU Extension, Ames, IA
 Dr. Ruth MacDonald, Chair, ISU Food Science & Human Nutrition, Ames, IA
 Craig Tordsen, Program Specialist, ISU Extension, Ames, IA
 Michael L. White, Field Specialist, ISU Extension  Indianola, IA
 Mark Honeyman, Interim Director, ISU Leopold Center, Ames, IA

Other educational institution representatives
 Dr. Robert Denson, President, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA

Industry representatives (as appointed by Iowa Wine Growers Association)
 Mike Pence, President of Iowa Wine Growers Association and owner of Hartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison, IA (Term end Fall 2013)
 John Guinan, Iowa Wine Growers Association and owner of Santa Maria Winery, Carroll, IA (Term end Fall 2012)
 Bob Wersen, Iowa Wine Growers Association and owner of Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA (Term end Fall 2013)
 Norm Wilson, Iowa Wine Growers Association and owner of Liberty Hills Vineyard, New Virginia, IA (Term end Fall 2012)
 Ron Mark, Iowa Wine Growers Association and owner of Summerset Winery, Indianola, IA (Term end Fall 2013)

State development agency representatives
 Colleen Murphy, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Des Moines, IA
 Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Des Moines, IA

Upcoming Advisory Board Meetings:
-April 24, 2012. 10 am to 1 pm at Interpower Corporation, 2900 SE 5th, Ames, Iowa
-October 2012

Meetings are open to audit by all interested parties. Please contact us if you would like to attend.