Our Team

Matt Brewer was born and raised in Sonoma County, and graduated from Sonoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. Matt is a certified public accountant and works for Pisenti & Brinker where he is a manager in taxation and assurance services. Matt provides corporate, partnership and individual tax planning and compliance services and oversees audit, review and compilation engagements. Matt married the love of his life, Chloe, in 2010. When he is not working and volunteering, he keeps busy raising his three children.

Ty is approaching his 19th anniversary with Jackson Family Enterprises, and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for all aspects of finance, IT, human resources, and international businesses for the Jackson Family. During his tenure, Ty had the opportunity to help shape the company as it is configured today, including executive leadership, corporate treasury and financing, general accounting and process improvements, mergers and acquisition, strategic vision, and information systems and technology. Prior to joining the Jackson Family, Ty spent ten years in general and financial management with Core-Mark International. A graduate of The Ohio State University, he is married and has a daughter in college.

Gerard Giudice is the owner of Sally Tomatoes Catering and Event Company in Rohnert Park. Born in the Bronx, Gerard is proud to call Rohnert Park home, and is a proud member of the Rohnert Park Cotati Rotary Club and the Rohnert Park Planning Commission. He also serves as a board member for the Sonoma State Athletic Association. Gerard is married to Suzanne Knauer-Giudice and has two inspiring daughters, Katarina, 2 and Isabella, 18.

Dr James T Henley is married to his lovely and supportive wife Karen of 31 years (Owner and trainer Oakridge Ranch teaching Classical Dressage English Riding discipline) and has two beautiful daughters Ali and Toni. He is blessed with four wonderful grandchildren Zachery-17 star basketball player, Tawney-15 accomplished dressage rider, Tyler-12 star soccer player, and little JT (Jessica Taylor) 5 adept at staying busy.

JT has and will always believe that it is important to give back to his community. He remembers that “it takes a village” to raise children to be successful and contributors to society.

Karissa Kruse is President of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. In her role as President, Karissa has guided the strategy and implementation of Sonoma County’s commitment to become America’s first 100% certified sustainable wine region. In an effort to continue to lead in the social responsibility component of sustainability, Karissa announced the relaunch of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation in January 2016 that aims to assist local agricultural employees and their families in the areas of healthcare, affordable housing, childcare, education and workforce development. She is a partner in a small winery, Argot Wines, and the owner of a 12-acre vineyard on Sonoma Mountain.

Karissa earned a BS in Economics and an MBA in Marketing from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She has 20 years of experience in various aspects of marketing, brand management, strategic planning and business development, and has previously worked for companies such as General Mills, Universal Studios, Mattel and Dairy Management.

Troy Niday is Chief Operations Officer for Sonoma Media Investments, LLC publisher of the Press Democrat and other Sonoma County publications and websites. He oversees all aspects of audience development, consumer revenue generation, production and distribution for the organization. A native Nebraskan, Troy worked at four other media companies before bringing his expertise to Sonoma County in 2014. He resides near the town of Freestone with his wife Pam; they have two children in their early 20s, and enjoy traveling together.

Steve was brought up in the bay area, Los Altos, where he met his wife Georgia in high school. Steve went to UC Santa Barbara and graduated with BAs in Business Economics and Political Science. Steve and Georgia have 2 children and now are empty nesters. Steve is a past President of Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary, North Coast Hobos and is active in many civic organizations. Steve is the President of Interiors Incorporated, a firm he started 26 years ago. In his free time he enjoys travel, fishing, skiing and hiking in the great outdoors.