David Everett
Faculty

David Everett is the Program Coordinator for the Viticulture and Winery Technology Program and teaches a variety of courses for the department. Being in the wine business for over 25 years, David’s background encompasses “all things wine.” David has experienced all aspects of the wine business from sales to service in his “wine life” but he says his career has really focused on wine education. His certifications include Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has also held prestigious positions in the industry such as Property Sommelier at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Wine Director at The Rio in Las Vegas. He also has been growing and making pinot noir from his Santa Cruz mountains vineyard for the last 8 years.

Jeff Popick
Adjunct Faculty

Jeff Popick teaches a variety of viticulture and enology courses for the VWT Program. Jeff is a native of Baltimore, MD. His degrees include a BS in Plant Science/Viticulture from UC Davis, a BA and an MA in French from the University of Arizona. Jeff’s professional experience includes 5 years as Vineyard Manager at Mount Eden Vineyards in Saratoga, CA, and 11 years as Vineyard Manager at Mayacamas Vineyards in Napa, CA. For the past 13 years, Jeff has been the owner, winemaker, general manager of Chameleon Cellars in St.Helena, CA. Jeff is also the North Coast Field Representative for Allied Grape Growers in Fresno, CA and writes a weekly Meteorology/Viticulture column for St. Helena Star.

Dr. Stephen J. Krebs
Program Advisor

Dr. Stephen J. Krebs is the Program Coordinator and Professor of Viticulture in the Viticulture and Winery Technology Program at Napa Valley College. Dr. Krebs received his Ph.D. from the UC Davis Program and has led the VWT Program at Napa Valley College for over 20 years, receiving national recognition for his work there. Prior to becoming the father of the VWT Program at Napa Valley College, Dr. Krebs has had viticulture duties at Mayacamas Vineyards in Napa, Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma County, and at Sunny Slope Ranch in Glen Ellen.
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Dr. Neal Ely
Dean

Dr. Ely is the Dean responsible for the Viticulture and Winery Technology Program at Las Positas College, and was responsible for getting the VWT Program developed, approved, and started at LPC. Dr. Ely has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M and served in the Air Force for 23 years before coming to LPC in 1998. Dr. Ely has been informally educating people on wine and viticulture for over 20 years, and is a self professed “wine guy” with an interest in studying about (and yes, consuming) wine that spans 30 years.

Tom Fuller
Horticulture Adjunct Faculty and VWT Support

Tom Fuller earned his BA at the University of Wisconsin, and his teaching credential at San Francisco State University. He has been employed in the landscape industry for 35 years, most recently as Grounds Manager for the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. Since 2006, he has been teaching Horticulture at Las Positas College. His most important contribution to the VWT program has been as tractor-jockey/road-builder.