February 2, 2023 – Clay Gregory, an lively, influential and well-respected member of the Napa Valley neighborhood, handed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2023. Throughout the previous few years he had suffered from issues associated to a type of early onset Alzheimer’s. He was 65.
In 2019, Clay retired as President and CEO of Go to Napa Valley, the official tourism advertising group for the Napa Valley. In 2010, with assist from the county’s hospitality neighborhood, Clay established the Napa Valley Tourism Enchancment District (NVTID) to make sure that funding for advertising and promotion of the Napa Valley as a globally acknowledged vacation spot was maintained at aggressive ranges. Clay positioned VNV to assist your entire valley, to make sure every city was equally represented.
“Clay’s management was instrumental in devising and implementing the TID for the advantage of the hospitality business; not just for the town of Napa, however countywide,” commented former Napa Mayor, Jill Techel. “This strategic funding within the development of the business continues to drive this essential financial sector, benefitting all who stay, work and go to Napa Valley.”
To attract extra worldwide consideration to the Napa Valley wine area, in 2009 Clay collaborated with the San Francisco Journey Affiliation to turn into a part of the Nice Wine Capitals. Moreover, in an effort to encourage extra guests to the Napa Valley throughout “want instances,” (mid-week and November by way of April) VNV created varied occasions and advertising packages together with Taste! Napa Valley (2011 – 2017); “Arts in April” (2010 – current); and “Cabernet Season,” a advertising time period created in 2012 to model off-season. Moreover, beneath Clay’s management, VNV shaped partnerships to assist the creation of Competition Napa Valley (previously Competition del Sole); the Napa Valley Movie Competition; BottleRock Napa Valley, and extra.
Previous to his function with the Go to Napa Valley, Clay served in key wine business management roles, together with as President of Jackson Household Wines, and Vice President and Basic Supervisor of Robert Mondavi Vineyard. He additionally had his personal wine label, Inherit the Sheep. Clay was an lively member of neighborhood and business associations, together with serving as President of the Napa Valley Vintners in 2003; in addition to serving on the Public sale Napa Valley Board from 2000 – 2003. He additionally served as President of the Oakville Winegrowers within the early 1990’s; Napa Humane from 2007-2012; the Napa Chamber of Commerce from 2009 – 2013; the Board for US Journey Affiliation and the Robert Mondavi Institute at UC Davis.
“Clay was a beautiful fellow,” added Napa Valley Vintner Tim Mondavi. “He had a quiet, heat, receptive charisma that put everybody comfy. He additionally had aspirations to excel at no matter he did — qualities that made him a well-loved and revered, mild chief. He related to and impressed folks to do their greatest and turn into a vibrant crew. We had nice imaginative and prescient at Robert Mondavi Vineyard and Clay helped make that occur along with his inspiring confidence. He cherished folks, wine, and enjoyable, and his spirit made him preferrred as a goodwill ambassador for Napa Valley. We’ll miss his all the time constructive presence.”
Clay was born in Manhattan Seaside, CA and raised in northern California, incomes undergraduate and MBA levels from San Jose State College, with a focus in Advertising. Clay is survived by his spouse Tersilla, 4 brothers and their wives, and 7 nieces and nephews. Journey, golf, his beloved Basset hounds, and the San Francisco Giants had been a few of his many passions.
