TEMECULA, Calif., Aug. 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association announced Friday that Tomi Arbogast was named executive director of an organization that represents more than 60 award-winning wineries and grape growers.
Arbogast, a Temecula resident, was selected from a field of 15 candidates.
"Her strong marketing experience and public relations skills made her the perfect person for the job," said Ray Falkner, president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. "We were also impressed with the level of her community involvement and ability to foster working relationships with governmental agencies, other non-profits and community-based groups."
Most recently, Arbogast was a business development officer for Pacific Western Bank in Temecula. She played an important role in helping to develop Temecula Citizen Corps, a nationally recognized Homeland Security and disaster preparedness program and was director of marketing for four Stadium Pizza restaurants. In addition, she was director of occupational health services and public relations coordinator for Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar.
Arbogast holds a B.A. degree in urban studies and planning from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University.
The Temecula Valley is the premiere winemaking region in Southern California. Over the last decade, the number of wineries in Temecula's Wine Country has doubled and more new wineries are in the planning stages. More importantly, the area's reputation for making fine wine is on the rise as local wines continue to win major awards at wine competitions that include well-known domestic and international brands.