Wine Institute picks international trade head

The Wine Institute has appointed a successor to its retired director of international trade policy.

Tom LaFaille (right), who had been member relations director, succeeds Joseph Rollo, who retired as of June 30.

The Wine Institute represents more than 1,000 California wineries and related companies. It functions as the trade association and lobbying group for its members.

LaFaille, a lawyer, will work with state and federal government agencies and industry groups to reduce foreign wine trade barriers and open new markets overseas, according to the Institute, representing the California wine industry on the World Wine Trade Group, the USDA’s Agriculture Trade Advisory Committee, the California Council for International Trade and other groups. He also will manage the Wine Institute’s International Public Policy Committee and serve on the institute’s Technical Advisory Committee.

Britta Purcell, who had been coordinator of member relations, succeeds LaFaille in the manager position.

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