As you will see from the following biographies, Allied Grape Growers’ staff is almost entirely made up of people who come from grape growing backgrounds. Eight out of our ten employees was raised on a ranch which produced grapes. What better people to serve the growers of the cooperative than those who have had first hand grape growing experience themselves and know the challenges growers face.

Pictured from left to right:

President:
Nat DiBuduo

Nat DiBuduo is a native of the San Joaquin Valley, being born and raised in the Fresno/Clovis area. Nat attended California State University, Fresno where he earned a B.S. in Plant Science/Viticulture and a minor in Business. Nat is also a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program. His roots in the wine grape industry run deep. His family was among the first to plant varietal wine grapes in the San Joaquin Valley back in the early 1970’s. Nat’s involvement with wine grape production and processing through a family owned winery has given him a large breadth of industry experience. Nat holds a Certified Pest Control Advisor’s license as well as a Department of Real Estate sales license. Nat’s former work experience has ranged from being an independent consultant to overseeing the farm management of 24,000 acres of winegrapes, nuts, and vegatables. Most recently, in his previous position overseeing this ag land, he had direct exposure to regional wine grape growing through property management in the Central San Joaquin Valley, the Lodi region, the Central Coast, and also acreage in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Nat’s experience is virtually unmatched. He was hired in May of 2000 to replace outgoing President Barry Bedwell.

Vice-President, Operations:
Jeff Bitter

Jeff Bitter is a native of the Madera area. He was born and raised in wine grape and raisin production. His family represents four generations of wine grape and raisin production in the Kerman/Madera area. Jeff’s grandfather Henry was the first Madera County Allied member back in 1951. Jeff attended California State University, Fresno where he earned a B.S. in Ag Business and a Master of Business Administration degree as well. In June of 2003, Jeff graduated from the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a two-year leadership training and development program. Jeff has had a life-long interest in wine (well, at least since age 21) and enjoys spending free time tasting wines and learning more about wine. Jeff has been an employee of Allied since 1997 when the cooperative had grown in size enough to warrant an additional management position to handle association operations.

Controller:
Irene Ybarra
Irene Ybarra is a native of the Central Valley, being born and raised on a family farm of wine and raisin grapes in the Reedley area. She, along with her five sisters, was involved with the day to day operations of the farm right down to harvesting the fruit. Irene attended California State University, Fresno graduating with a B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Computer Application. She has worked in agriculture since college in positions with farm management companies and wineries. She has been with Allied since 1988, and has served as the association's Controller the entire time.

Manager of Coastal Grape Sales and Grower Relations:
Richard Schoenstein
Richard Schoenstein was born in Richmond but moved to the Napa Valley in 1969 where his family began farming wine grapes just north of St. Helena on Hwy 29. Richard attended Napa Valley College and also California State University, Fresno where he pursued a B.S. in viticulture. Richard was employed by Allied after attending college in 1977. He is Allied’s longest current employee with decades of faithful service to growers in the North Coast regions. Richard’s breadth of experience in wine grape production and attention to quality North Coast production is unmatched.

Coastal Viticulturist and Grower/Winery Relations:
Jeff Popick
Though there is no family ranch in Jeff's background (unless that term applies to his family's backyard in Baltimore, MD), he is passionate about viticulture, fine wine production and meteorology - especially as it relates to agriculture. After receiving an M.A. in French from the University of Arizona, where his professors heartily encouraged the development of his palate, he earned a BS in Viticulture from UC Davis and went on to manage vineyards for Mount Eden Vineyards of Saratoga, CA and Mayacamas Vineyards of Napa, CA. There he started his own label, Chameleon Cellars, with two friends and co-workers. Besides his own wine label and working part time for Allied Grape Growers, Jeff writes weekly weather columns for both the St. Helena Star and the Sonoma Valley Sun as well as doing a weather segments three days a week on a local radio station. Jeff is a well-versed employee with diverse experience and knowledge that he is more than willing to share with growers for the enhancement of fine wine production.

Viticulturist:
Emilio Miranda
Emilio Miranda came to Allied in 2004 to fill a newly created position within the company - Viticulturist. Emilio has over 25 years of experience in the wine industry, spending a majority of that time with Paul Masson Vineyards and the Canandaigua Wine Company. Emilio attended California State University, Fresno and majored in Plant Science before entering the workforce. Over his many years in the wine industry he has held various positions from Grower Relations to Vineyard Manager to Manager of Grape Supply for the largest multi-national winery in the world. Emilio grew up on a family farm specializing in grape production and has a perfect combination of book knowledge, research and experience when it comes to viticulture. Emilio is available to assist growers and provide advice in any way viticulturally possible to increase their productivity, quality and profitability.

Grower Relations, Northern San Joaquin Valley:
Joe Osterman
Joe Osterman is a native of Madera County, being born and raised on a family farm of wine and raisin grapes. Joe graduated from Reedley College with an A.A. and also earned his Certified Pest Control Advisor’s license and Pest Operator’s license. Joe has various experience in ag ranging from being employed as a Pest Control Advisor in ag chemical sales to farm managing wine and raisin grapes. Joe currently helps farm his family’s land in Madera on the weekends. He has been an employee of Allied Grape Growers since 1988 and has served as the North San Joaquin Valley rep since that time.

Grower Relations, Madera/Biola:
Brad Walters
Brad Walters is a native of the Kerman area where his family farms over 600 acres of wine and raisin grapes. Brad was born and raised on the family farm operation gaining years of first hand experience in wine and raisin grape production. Brad graduated from Fresno City College with a degree in Fire Science. He was employed by Allied Grape Growers in 1998.

Grower Relations, Kerman & Fresno south:
Karl Lehman
Karl Lehman is a native of the Biola/Kerman area where his family farms grapes and almonds. Karl was born and raised on the family farm operation gaining years of first hand experience in grape production. Karl graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in Communications. Karl oversees the day-to-day farming of his family's ranch. Prior to coming to work for Allied in 2006, Karl was a produce inspector/buyer for a large produce markting operation.

Office Administrator:
Marcia Silva
Marcia came to Allied in the Spring of 2000 to serve as our Office Administrator. She is a native of the Fresno area. Her vast experience in various office and administrative settings has qualified her to perform well in her position, keeping numerous documents, forms and reports in order and organizing the daily office administration. Her efficient and effective procedures are of great benefit along with her warm reception, whether by phone or in person.