New Director of Sonoma State University's Wine Business Program<BR> Plans to Help Wine Industry Cope With Tough Times
He was writing software in 6th grade and stretching his management skills for local businesses<BR> soon after. His M. B.A. was earned at the prestigious Haas School of Business at UC<BR> Berkeley. Now David Hehman of Sebastopol, has joined Sonoma State University School of <BR> Business and Economics as the new director of the Wine Business Program. <BR>
(PRWEB) January 18, 2002
He was writing software in 6th grade and stretching his management skills for local businesses soon after. His M. B.A. was earned at the prestigious Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and his entrepreneurial spirit led to creation of a successful leisure-lodging web site and a healthcare software company.
Now David Hehman of Sebastopol, has joined Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics as the new director of the Wine Business Program.
Created through a partnership between the university and the wine industry, Sonoma State's Wine Business Program is the first university program of any kind to focus exclusively on the business dynamic within the wine industry.
Professional development courses and cutting-edge research projects by the faculty are now helping the wine industry tackle problems caused by the recent economic downturn and the oversupply of grapes on the market.
Hehman is a member of the North Bay Angels investor group and is also a partner in Spartina Ventures, LLC, an early-stage venture capital fund.
He and his wife moved to Sonoma County from Connecticut to get closer to nature. This position matches his passion for teaching and working with local businesses, he says.
Hehman was previously Vice President Business Development of Vacationspot. com, a leading independent leisure lodging web site, which sold to Expedia, Inc. He joined VacationSpot. com from GetawayZone where he was co-founder and CEO. GetawayZone merged with VacationSpot in December 1998. Hehman also co-founded and served as CEO of HealthDeskCorporation, a healthcare software company, from 1991-1995.
"DavidÂ’s entrepreneurial background, teaching interests, and his desire to become involved in the wine industry made him a perfect fit.," says Dr. Ahmad Hosseini, dean of the School of Business and Economics. "We are excited to have him on our team to grow our Wine Business Program and foster ties to the business community."
Hehman replaces Armand Gilinsky who is heading up the new Entrepreneurship Center at Sonoma State University. Hehman, who will also serve as a Development Officer for the School of Business, says he and Gilinsky are working closely together to build both programs into valuable community resources.
CONTACT INFO: David Hehman, Director, Wine Business Program, (707) 664-2260
NOTE: A digital photo of Mr. Hehman is available.
