The Management Team

Garry McGuire is the president/CEO and board member of COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts. McGuire assumed this position in March 2008. In this capacity he has operational responsibility for all aspects of the business including financial performance, real estate development, hospitality operations, and brand development. McGuire is a seasoned business executive with experience in financial restructuring and business turnarounds. Prior to this role, Garry was the chairman of Icon Internet Ventures, a business that develops and operates special interest web communities. From 2004 to 2007, Garry was the president of Gyro International. Gyro is a leading Internet branding and advertising agency based in London. During his tenure, Gyro expanded from three locations to over twelve global offices, and significantly expanded billings resulting in the successful sale of the company in 2007. Garry's background also includes leadership roles as a Chief Marketing Officer, and Vice President of several leading consumer brand companies on the West Coast. Garry is an avid wine enthusiast, amateur backyard chef, and travel fanatic. He and his family reside in the Napa Valley. gmcguire@copia.org

Joe Fischer is the acting Chief Financial Officer of Copia. In this capacity, he is responsible for all aspects of Copia's financial operations including debt restructuring, real estate development, and profitability of institutional and retail operations. Fischer is a seasoned financial executive with extensive background in public and private sector operations. Fischer is also a special advisor to community based foundations and charitable organizations. jfischer@copia.org

Chef Tyler Florence has developed a unique perspective on how Americans like to eat and cook today. He is a champion for uncomplicated recipes, bright flavors and fresh food, which he believes is the type of cooking that comes from a "real kitchen" - a place dedicated to culinary honesty. Tyler has received acclaim from the national culinary community for his creativity and dedication to the art of cooking. He has been recognized as a leading chef by publications such as Food & Wine, GQ, Wall Street Journal, USA Weekend and People.
In 1991, Tyler graduated with honors from the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University in South Carolina. After relocating to New York City in 1992, he honed his culinary skills under the tutelage of some of the city's premier chefs including Charlie Palmer at Aureole, Marta Pulini at Mad 61, and Rick Laakonen at River Café.

Bruneau has 20 years of experience in operations, production and project management. Bruneau joined COPIA in 2003 after selling her Napa-based business, The Costume Factory, to a firm in Columbus, Ohio. As president and co-owner of The Costume Factory, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of promotional advertising characters for major food, beverage and entertainment companies worldwide, Bruneau worked with corporate clients including Kraft Foods, Disney, Michelin North America and M&M/Mars. Prior to her experience as a business owner, she served for 8 years as production manager for Entertainment Research Group, an industrial design and product development company. abruneau@copia.org

As the Director of Applied Psycho-Sensory Studies at COPIA, Tim’s role is focused on understanding how the human brain interprets sensory information and applying these findings to create and improve products, services and education in the areas of wine and food. He is also CEO of the Napa Seasoning Company, producers of Vignon™ Flavor Balancing Seasoning, a product developed from his sensory research. He is one of the first two resident Americans to successfully complete the examination and earn the title Master of Wine, holds the title of Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators and is a professionally trained chef. He has been involved with a variety of businesses, foundations, education and research in wine and food related fields for over thirty-five years. Tim also plays guitar in his wife’s band—Kate Hanni and the Toasted Heads. thanni@copia.org

Marina comes to COPIA through the wine industry, most recently as Human Resources and Safety Manager for the Chalone Wine Group, which included wineries such as Acacia, Moon Mountain, Edna Valley, and Provenance in California and Canoe Ridge Vineyards in Washington. Starting her professional career in banking, Marina became the Accounting Supervisor for a produce broker in Marin County. She moved into Human Resources and Health and Safety Management when she began working for a manufacturing firm in Sonoma County. With over 12 years in Human Resources, in addition to her PHR designation, Marina holds certificates in Management and Supervision and HR Management and Organizational Behavior from Sonoma State University.
mkreager@copia.org

Joy Downey has over 20 years experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining Copia she was Division Controller for a premium wine label manufacturer, where she directed finance for two West Coast facilities. At Copia since 2005, Joy directs the finance, accounting, IT and building operations departments. She holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from San Francisco State University and a Master of Business Administration, Finance, from Saint Mary’s College. jdowney@copia.org

Neil Harvey has been with COPIA for nearly eight years and has more than 20 years of experience in museums in collections management and curatorial roles. Harvey is responsible for overseeing the display of art and artifacts, coordinating the rotation of temporary and core exhibitions, and maintaining policies and procedures for the collections and exhibitions. He has overseen the installation of every exhibition at COPIA, totaling more than 90 to date. Harvey came to COPIA after serving as Collections Manager at the Wolfsonian-Florida International University in Miami Beach, Florida for four years. Prior to that position he was a curator for nine years at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. Harvey holds two B.A. Degrees with Honors, in Natural Sciences and History of Art from Cambridge University. nharvey@copia.org