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CONTACT: Rebecca Robinson
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
512-327-7555 or 512-350-4621
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas names new President, Directors
PRESS PHOTO: J. Buckner Hightower
Austin, Texas (June 18, 2007) – J. Buckner Hightower has been named president of The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, the state’s largest charity dedicated to the art of wine and food, for the 2007-08 program year.
Hightower succeeds Austin restaurateur Michael Vilim. He brings a diverse background of business experience, wine and food knowledge, and proven success in the non-profit sector. His professional career is a mosaic of experience in manufacturing, restaurants, real estate development, international aerospace, and music recording. In several of these industries he has held positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the International Space University, located in Strasbourg. His work for the Robert Heinlein Prize Trust, which initiates prize contests for advanced aerospace students, led him to be awarded into The Order of Gagarin. This is an honor bestowed by The Cosmonautics Federation of Russia to persons who have accomplished work to further aerospace education and exploration. Hightower is one of only two Americans to hold this distinction.
Hightower’s unique combination of business savvy, wine and food knowledge and non-profit expertise have prepared him for leadership as the Foundation increases its presence throughout Texas.
“I am honored to serve the Foundation as President,” Buckner said. “We are at an exciting juncture right now as our membership program gains momentum throughout the state and our charitable works in the community expand through our scholarships and grants programs.”
Hightower is a fifth-generation Texas native and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. In addition to his work with The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, he is also a member of The President’s Council for the Austin Lyric Opera, The Knights of the Vine, Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Knights of San Jacinto.
Other new members of the Board of Directors include: Howard Kells, owner of Doña Emilia’s South American Bar & Grill, and Brian Owens, former television executive and former owner of Austin Wine Merchant. The Advisory Committee welcomes: Matt Bair, Surgient; Aimee Olson, Texas Culinary Academy; Ann Clark, Kitchen Design Consultant and Cookbook Author; Steve Hanes, Vintage IT Systems; Jim Stone, Managing Director, Stone Partners, Inc.; and Kevin Blessing, Central Market.
About the Foundation
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a public charity dedicated to recognizing and developing creativity, professionalism and state-of-the-science research in all areas of the culinary and viticulture arts. Created in 1997, the Foundation provides educational grants, scholarships and fellowships to outstanding individuals and other entities that achieve excellence in these areas. For more information, visit www.winefoodfoundation.org.
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