About Nevada Vines & Wines

We have a great opportunity to build a wine industry in Nevada, and you can help us make it happen! Our mission is to “to educate and promote viticulture and wine production in Nevada”, with a vision that “Nevada is recognized as a wine grower and producer”.

We are all volunteers and serve to aid and educate both the commercial and home winemakers in Nevada, as well as encourage local farms to explore grape production; grapes when drip irrigated only require 1/6 the amount of water that corn and grain crops require.

In addition to educating we are an advocate to local and state governments to reduce the barriers to the wine industry. We helped change state laws in recent legislative years to allow wineries to be established in Clark and Washoe Counties. We would next like to reduce restrictions on production, retail sales, and distribution.

Help us by joining as a member and participate in our wine tastings and fundraising events. We are a non-profit 501 c(3) so your donations and membership fees are tax deductible.

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT - TIM BURKE

Tim grew up in rural Nevada on a small farm operation. At an early age, he was introduced to agriculture. His family grew alfalfa which is a water dependent crop. In addition to the alfalfa, Tim and his family raised a variety of fruits and vegetables teaching him the basic principles and application of horticulture. Tim was very involved in livestock raising his own flock of Suffolk sheep. He was responsible for breeding practices, flock health and nutrition, and the annual sale of lambs. Tim participated in 4-H and was on the State Championship Livestock Judging Team.

In addition to farming and ranching, his father was a full-time plumber and Tim grew up learning the construction business. Summers where spent on the jobsite with his father in the construction trade. In high school, he worked part-time at the retail store learning the many facets of running a retail operation including inventory management and control, pricing, customer service, and ordering.

After high school Tim attended the University of Nevada where he majored in engineering before eventually changing to the College of Business. He minored in mathematics. While in college, he worked for Model Dairy’s packaging facility in Reno. This job gave him a hands-on background in farm to retail production. He learned to produce and package dairy products of all types, learned sanitation and equipment maintenance, and eventually went on to work in the warehouse learning the principles of shipping and receiving.

Professionally his career has been one of management, marketing, and sales. For several years he was the Director of Marketing for Dr Pepper/Seven-Up. He oversaw all product distribution, both retail and wholesale, grocery and chain store product placement, franchising, sales goals, territory acquisition, advertising, marketing campaigns, new product development, and management of the sales, delivery and warehousing teams. While there, he received numerous National awards for sales records and achievements. He also represented the company at many national events including the Jerry Lewis telethon where he awarded Jerry Lewis and MDA checks on behalf of Dr Pepper/7-Up for millions of dollars.

After his career with Dr Pepper/7-Up he was recruited by Warner Brothers Television to work with the local Reno affiliate of the WB. While there, he managed advertising accounts and appeared in numerous television commercials. He also did many of the commercial voice-overs for the WB.

Because of his experience in engineering, computers, sales, marketing and advertising he was recruited by a Dot com start-up, 1-800 Batteries which eventually became iGo.com. Tim managed the commercial sales division for the start-up from pre-IPO to post-IPO. The company had a very successful IPO raising 50 million dollars. Another start-up, Data Engines, reached out to Tim and offered him a lucrative position as the Product Development Manager. His primary role was to take the product engineering concept that was developed by the IT staff and bring it to the public. He created all the product branding, product POS, website, and advertising campaigns. He would eventually go onto lead most of the sales team.

After his career in the Dot com industry Tim purchased a computer training school in Las Vegas. The school now has multiple locations in both Northern and Southern Nevada. The school specializes in adult vocational career training programs for unemployed workers.

Tim has had a passion for the wine industry since college. In 2019 he completed his degree in Viticulture and Wine business. Tim has earned his Certificate in Viticulture. He interned at several wineries and vineyards and attended numerous workshops and classes at UC Davis in addition to his college classes. He has developed invaluable relationships in the industry. In 2020 he and Pam Burke opened and currently operate Artesian Cellars in Pahrump, Nevada.

TREASURER - DEBBIE GALLAGHER

Bio in progress.

BOARD MEMBER - TERI BATH

Teri Bath, Principal of Salmon Point Development – Teri Bath has over 25 years of experience in strategic partnerships and Urban Economic Development including Commercial Real Estate and Tenant Representation.

Teri is the owner of four successful businesses including the operation of Coldwell Banker Commercial as Owner and Office Manager for over 5 years – from 2002 through 2010. In addition, Teri has experience in both the retail and food service industries. She ran a successful hair salon for over 25 years serving many clients including over more repeat clients. Also, she ran a restaurant operation offering breakfast, lunch and dinner service in Riggins, Idaho serving a community of 400 plus with multitudes of customers/clients from the tourist and trade industries.

Teri was President of the Eagle Chamber of Commerce in Eagle, Idaho, which focused on the growth and success of the small business community through strategic partnerships. Teri is a proud graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management.

Teri was also the founding member of Eagle’s Urban Renewal Agency, ESTech (Technology Corridor) and Economic Development Chairman for the Boise Valley Economic Partnership. Teri has extensive knowledge in working with Government and City Council Groups, including Eagle City, Star City, Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Emmett, the Idaho Department of Commerce and Legislative Representatives in both the House and Senate within the state of Idaho.

Teri has a strong interest in Indoor Agriculture and the future this industry has with numerous alternative industry and crop plans. Teri currently serves on the board of the Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) and is the Agribusiness Chairman for Nevada Economic Development Association (NEDA). In addition, Teri is now serving as the President of Nevada Industrial Hemp Fiber Cooperative (NIFFC), which is introducing industrial hemp crops and their potential biproducts.

ADVOCACY - KATHY HALBARDIER

Kathy has over 21 years of experience in developing small business start-ups and expansion of existing businesses. Her areas of expertise are in business plan counseling, strategic planning, economic development and business education and training. With over 10 years in banking and other types of financial institutions, Kathy has assisted various diverse businesses in financial planning and access to capital through alternative lending sources as well as development of grant applications and administration. She is a certified NxLeveL instructor and successfully ran her own business operation in the wine industry taking the product from dirt to bottle. She was one of the first commercial wineries – Tahoe Ridge Vineyards and Winery and Marketplace – in the State of Nevada and is still active in the industry as an advisor/consultant and a board member of the Nevada Vines and Wines Association. Kathy has special expertise in product manufacturing through the Lean process, business planning, growth and work-out strategies through Six-Sigma processes, product development, technology research, innovation and diversification. Special emphasis has evolved around the Nevada Food Forum, HACCP training, and regulation changes impacting the state administration code.facebook

BOARD MEMBER - MICHAEL BRADY

J. Michael Brady, AIA, LEED AP BD+C / Architect and Educator

Innovative, results-driven professional with over forty years of experience in architectural design, planning, programming, project and team management, business development, corporate and sole proprietorship and associate professor. Assistant Professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, School of Architecture, eleven years. Experience includes design work in public and private market segments: Sports Facilities, Entertainment and Gaming Venues, Hospitality, Corporate, Industrial Operations and Processing, Criminal Justice, Religious, Historic Renovation and Restoration, Retail and Residential. Performs well under pressure and is accustomed to working under strict deadlines. Demonstrated leader that welcomes challenge and opportunity with the ability to motivate, coach, and mentor strong teams that perform optimally.

Areas of expertise include: Project Management; Communications; Marketing; Partnering/Teaming; Project Delivery Methods; Project Programming; Feasibility Studies; QA/QC Review and Applications; Concept Design; Creative Problem Solving; Space Planning; Large-Scale Projects; Site Selection and Master Plan Development; Project Budget Development and Management; Development of Design Criteria and Goal Setting; Schedule Management; Federal and State Code Compliance; Interior Design and Contract Development and Negotiations

MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS - CRAIG DE GIOVANNI

Craig Has worked in Banking for 15 years. He then moved to Healthcare managing a team of I.T. Technicians. He has earned many I.T. related certifications including CISSP. In his personal life he has planted a few grape vines on his property and is learning all he can in order to someday have a career in Viticulture. He also makes wine and enjoys traveling to vineyards all over the country.

BOARD MEMBER - PAM BURKE

Pam Tyler brings a unique background of experience to the winery. A former fashion model, Pam successfully completed the Operating and Maintenance Engineers Joint Apprenticeship program. From there she went on to achieve many professional licenses and distinctions including: Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Plumber, EPA Universal Refrigeration Technician, Certified Bonded Locksmith, Plumbing and Heating Contractor’s License, OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer, and Building Energy and Sustainability Technician Certification. In addition, Pam has taught classes in technical areas for private and public schools including College of Southern Nevada.

Professionally Pam has an extensive background in facilities management. She currently is the Director of Facilities and Engineering for Caesars Entertainment’s Rio property. Previously, she was the Director of Facilities and Engineering for Marnell Gaming’s Laughlin Properties where she oversaw two hotel casinos and two special event venues. Prior to that, she was the Senior Facility Manager for the Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, Washington. At the Muckleshoot Casino, she was directly responsible for the Housekeeping and Engineering departments with an employee base of 134 team members and an annual operating budget of more than 11 million.

The property included 397,000 square feet of two Casino Facilities operating on a 24/7 basis with eight food establishments, over one hundred table games and three thousand six hundred video gaming machines. She operated and maintained a seven-story parking garage of 900,000 square feet accommodating 2720 vehicles. She was responsible for all remodeling programs, tenant improvements and new construction programs. Recent projects included a new valet booth, electric vehicle charging stations, emergency call stations in the parking area and a new video gaming device repair shop. She managed an extensive 50-million-dollar remodel and expansion project for the casino. She increased tribal training positions within the department to include trades and management opportunities. Pam has an extensive background in Customer Service. She has taught numerous classes on customer service to both line employees and management. She has held seminars and workshops covering all aspects of both internal and external customer service.

Pam has taught LEED classes in green technologies and practices. While at the Muckleshoot, she Initiated energy conservation measures that have accounted for savings in excess of 330,000 kWh per year.

Pam is also very passionate about wine. She has recently completed a wine certification program and has developed many relationships within the industry. Pam has created an extensive network of contacts, especially in the key Washington viticulture areas of Woodinville and Prosser. In 2020 she and Tim Burke opened and currently operate Artesian Cellars in Pahrump, Nevada.