John Conover
General Manager and Partner of PlumpJack and CADE
First Press Honorary Chair
John Conover joined PlumpJack Winery as general manager in January 1999 to oversee the daily operations of the estate winery and vineyard. His significant winery background in sales, marketing and management positions with well - respected premium California wine producers provided a perfect match for the challenge to develop a strategic direction for the newly- established property.
John's prior experience includes having worked with Grgich Hills Cellar, Monticello Cellars, and Lockwood Vineyard.
PlumpJack Winery released it first vintage in 1997 and has grown from producing 1,000 cases annually to a production capacity just fewer than 12,000 cases. John's strategy to steadily grow the winery's production capacity and his guidance has helped to create the image, awareness and distribution channels necessary to make PlumpJack the successful Vineyard that it has become; now producing several varietals under the direction of Anthony Biagi and consulting winemaker Nils Venge.
The Winery is best known for it Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon with two limited offerings: PlumpJack Estate and PlumpJack Reserve
Edward Plotkin
First Press Event Chair
Edward Plotkin, Vice President of MidFirst Private Bank, has over 13 years of experience in financial advising and asset management predominantly in the Scottsdale area. He specializes in the tax advantaged diversification of highly concentrated equity positions and corporate/institutional cash management, within wealth management and estate planning. Prior to joining MidFirst Private Bank, Edward was vice president of investments with the Fruehauf Wealth Management Group at UBS. He previously was a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, as well as founder and president of ELP Asset Management, Inc.
Edward earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Arizona. Along with his professional experience, Edward is a founding member of the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), a non-profit organization that promotes professional board standards among corporate boards and its members. His community involvement includes various leadership roles with Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation, Friends of Public Radio Arizona, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Edward's widespread professional experience and service in leadership roles is matched by his appreciation and enthusiasm for collecting fine wines. It is this level of enthusiasm, along with Edward's involvement and commitment that has helped shape this event into the Southwest's premier and most distinguished celebration of fine and rare wines.