Santa Rosa, Calif.—Michael Haney, director of membership and government relations for the Sonoma County Vintners, was named the group’s interim executive director. Haney replaces Jean Arnold Sessions who is leaving the executive director post at the end of January. “The board felt strongly that Michael Haney was the ideal candidate to lead the Sonoma County Vintners during this transition,” said Russell Joy, president of the board of directors, in the statement announcing the change. “Michael has spent the last three years as director of membership and is a vintner himself.”
 
Haney produces wine under the Black Dog Cellars label and served for 11 years as board member and three years as executive director of the l’Ete du Vin wine auction. During his tenure, the organization raised over $15 million for cancer related research and services.