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w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J a n - F e b 2 017 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 9 5 SARG-42 Handles Various Debris in One Tool Worksaver's new 42" SARG (Sweep Action Rock Grapple) for mini skid steers/compact tool carriers handles rocks, brush, logs, stumps, debris, scraps and more in a patent-pending design that lets opera- tors sort large or small rocks and debris with just one tool. www.worksaver.com People Mechanics Bank Names Debbie Watson VP/Senior Relationship Manager Debbie Watson has been appointed vice president and senior relationship manager in Mechanics Bank's commercial banking division, specializing in the wine industry. She was formerly with First Republic Bank. Well known for her work in the wine industry, Watson also spent nearly six years with Umpqua Bank help- ing manage its wine portfolio after that bank's merger with Vintage Bank. She previously held a similar posi- tion at City National Bank. Lodi Winegrape Commission Announces New Executive Director The Lodi Winegrape Commission has named Wendy Brannen executive director. She will oversee the commission's marketing, public relations, strate- gic planning and regional branding efforts, as well as grower relations. With more than a decade of diverse experience in the agriculture sector, Brannen will oversee the annual budget to market the Lodi region, facilitate grower education, viticultural research and expand awareness of the sustainable farming practices of the Lodi Rules, a third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program started by the commission in 2005. Dan Zepponi Joins Cuvaison as President/CEO Dan Zepponi joins Cuvaison Estate Wines as president/CEO, replacing retiring CEO Jay Schuppert. Zepponi's responsibilities include all operations for the Cuvaison Estate Wines in the Carneros and Mount Veeder AVAs. Zepponi was most recently running Vin- tage Strategies, a Napa-based consultancy firm. He has also served as president of West Coast Wine Partners in Sonoma and president of Mis- sion Hill Winery/Artisan Wine Company in British Columbia. Prior to those roles he was senior vice president, produc- tion and supply chain of the Americas for Beringer/Fosters Wine Estates and has served on several industry boards in Napa, Sonoma and British Columbia. Charlotte Selles Joins Jackson Family Wines Charlotte Selles joins Jackson Family Wines as vice president of marketing for Jackson Family Wines' international portfolio, including wineries from France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Chile, as well as Sonoma. Most recently marketing director for Paul Hobbs Winery, Selles has held senior marketing and sales positions at Campari America, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Beam Global and her family winery, Jean- Paul Selles Vins. Company News Saxco International Acquires Brick Packaging Corporation Saxco International announced it's acquired Brick Packaging Corporation. Saxco International distrib- utes a wide array of customized glass, plastic and closure packaging solutions for the liquor, wine, beer and food industries. Brick Packaging Corporation is a packaging distribution specialty company that offers custom solutions for out-of-the-ordinary and specialty product runs. www.saxco.com Motion Industries Acquires Braas Company Industrial parts distributor Motion Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Compa- ny, has acquired Braas Company, a leading distribu- tor of products and services for industrial automation and control. The company specializes in pneumatics, motion control, industrial networking, machine safety, robotics and related parts. www.motionIndustries.com