Staff

KRIS BEAL, M.S., Executive Director

Kris Beal began with the Vineyard Team in 1998 and helped develop and institutionalize the group's research, demonstration, and education programs. Prior to her work with the Vineyard Team, Kris taught irrigation classes at Cal Poly, co-authored a Fertigation textbook, and conducted irrigation trials in the San Joaquin Valley. As a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program, she facilitated meetings with the President of Panama, toured organic farms in El Salvador, and met with Nobel Laureate Oscar Arias. Most recently, she received the 2010 SLO County Wine Industry Person of the Year Award and the 2011 Profiles in Leadership Award from the California Ag Leadership Foundation.

When not at work, Kris can be found taking cooking classes and practicing her new found mountain biking skills. Email Kris

BETH VUKMANIC LOPEZ, SIP Certification Manager

Beth Vukmanic Lopez graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelors of Science in Agribusiness, Marketing concentration and minor in Music. Beth joined the Vineyard Team in July 2009 and has thoroughly enjoyed overseeing the development and growth of the SIP Certification program.

In her off time, Beth practices Muay Thai kickboxing, plays the harp professionally at weddings and special events, trains HIIT/Cross Fit with her husband, works in her home vegetable garden and loves to cook. Email Beth

FRITZ WESTOVER, M.S., Technical Program Manager

Fritz Westover has been working hands-on in the viticulture industry since 1999 and joined the Vineyard Team in 2013. Fritz obtained his BS in Horticulture from Penn State University and completed his MS in Plant Pathology at Penn State in 2003. He worked internationally as an assistant winemaker in the Tuscany region of Italy in 2004 and then held the position of Viticulture Research - Extension Associate for Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension from 2005 - 2007. From 2007 - 2013 Fritz served as Viticulture Extension Program Specialist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service where he worked statewide, developing viticulture education and research programs.

In his off time, Fritz enjoys trail running, mountain biking, exploring the beautiful central coast, practicing his Italian language skills in the kitchen with his wife and son, and tossing a Frisbee for his dog Piero.

KYLE WOMMACK, Special Events

Kyle Wommack graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a Presidential Scholar from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Environmental Tourism Planning and Development and a minor in Environmental Conservation. Kyle has represented the Vineyard Team at various industry and consumer tradeshows, community events, and the Sustainable Ag Expo since 2004 and is the lead coordinator of the Earth Day Food & Wine Festival. In her free time, Kyle traveled extensively in Australia, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Costa Rica and her native California; she now enjoys a different type of adventure at home with her sons and 5 year old puppy in Paso Robles. Email Kyle