Davis, Calif., Aug 28, 2017…The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) has confirmed James Harbertson as the 2017-2018 president. Harbertson, associate professor at Washington State University, Tri-Cities, succeeds Nichola Hall of Scott Laboratories to lead ASEV’s 11-member board. Harbertson also holds the interim technical program director position.

An active member of ASEV since 1998, Harbertson has served on the Board of Directors since 2006 and has been on the executive committee for the past seven years. He earned his doctorate in agricultural and environmental chemistry from the University of California, Davis, in 2003 and has served many roles in ASEV since, including the interim technical program director. In addition, Harbertson is associate editor of the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research.

ASEV has confirmed R. Keith Striegler, grower outreach specialist for E&J Gallo Winery, as a new director. In addition to James Harbertson, the executive team for 2017-2018 includes: John Thorngate, vice president, operations technical services at Constellation Brands, California, as first vice president; Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker, White Wine for J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, California, as second vice president; and Tom Collins, assistant professor at Washington State University, Tri-Cities, as secretary-treasurer. Additional Board members continuing current terms are: ASEV science editor Markus Keller of Washington State University, Prosser; Directors Lise Asimont of Francis Ford Coppola Presents; Anita Oberholster from the University of California, Davis; Patty Skinkis of Oregon State University, Corvallis; Merilark Padgett-Johnson of the Natural Resources Department, Santa Rosa Junior College, California; and Hans Walter-Peterson of Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York.

Formed in 1950 as a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production, ASEV’s membership of approximately 2,000 includes professionals from wineries, vineyards, and academic institutions and organizations from around the world. In addition to publishing the AJEV and the Catalyst, the Society also hosts its National Conference, slated for Monterey, California, in June of 2018, and co-presents the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium every January with the California Association for Winegrape Growers. For more information, visit www.asev.org.