Willamette Valley Vineyards Appoints John Hazlett as Chief Financial Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
Willamette Valley Vineyards (NASDAQ: WVVI) appointed John Hazlett as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Hazlett brings 25+ years of senior financial leadership across manufacturing, technology and growth-focused businesses, and is a CPA licensed in Ohio.
He will oversee financial strategy, reporting, compliance and operational planning to support sustainable growth, brand expansion and shareholder value.
Positive
- Appointment of experienced CFO with 25+ years in senior financial roles
- CFO to lead financial strategy, reporting, compliance and operational planning
- Background spans manufacturing, technology and growth-focused businesses
- Certified Public Accountant with MBA and accounting/finance degree
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – WVVI
In the May 21 session, WVVI gained 5.79%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Q1 2026 results | Positive | +5.8% | Revenue growth and narrowed loss per share in Q1 2026. |
| Mar 24 | FY 2025 results | Negative | +1.0% | Full-year 2025 sales decline and wider loss per share. |
| Feb 10 | Sales reorganization | Neutral | +0.0% | Reorganization of distribution and sales structure and leadership. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent news has seen mostly aligned price reactions, with one notable divergence where shares rose modestly on weaker full-year 2025 results.
Over recent months, Willamette Valley Vineyards reported mixed operating trends. Q1 2026 revenue grew to $8.26M with a narrowed loss per share of $0.24, and the stock rose 5.8%. In contrast, full-year 2025 results showed net sales falling to $37.20M, a wider loss per share of $0.64, and an operating loss of $1.44M, yet shares still gained 1.02%. Organizational changes to distribution and sales on Feb 10 saw no immediate price reaction. Today’s CFO appointment fits into this broader operational and leadership repositioning.
Key Terms
certified public accountant (cpa) financial
u.s. securities and exchange commission regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
As CFO, Hazlett will utilize his 25+ years of experience to spearhead financial strategy, reporting and compliance for Willamette Valley Vineyards
Leveraging over two decades of senior financial leadership experience across manufacturing, technology and growth‑oriented businesses, Hazlett brings seasoned executional discipline and proven operational efficiency to Willamette Valley Vineyards.
Hazlett holds an MBA from Baldwin Wallace University and a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from Bowling Green State University, each paving the way for his success in various segments of financial business, including entrepreneurship. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the state of
Most recently, he served as the founding partner of Trailwise Advisory Services, a fractional CFO firm supporting organizations through financial transformation, operational scaling and leadership transitions. Prior to that, he served as CFO of RENA Technologies North America, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, and additionally held CFO and senior finance roles at Climax Portable Machine Tools,
"We welcome John Hazlett, whose arrival follows the remarkable John Ferry – a tremendous asset as CFO over the years, most notably through his valuable expertise in operations. We intend to continue to benefit from his insight and abilities, especially in our work with the
In his integrated position, Hazlett will oversee financial strategy, reporting, compliance and operational planning as the company continues to advance its long‑term vision for sustainable growth, brand expansion and shareholder value. Through his strong foundation in strategic planning and forecasting and operational literacy, Hazlett's expertise in financial management will be key to maintaining the winery's industry leadership and sustaining its legacy of excellence, while driving continued long-term growth.
A resident of
Hazlett's appointment reflects Willamette Valley Vineyards' commitment to strengthening its leadership team with executives who bring both deep financial expertise and a strong connection to the region.
About Willamette Valley Vineyards
Founded in 1983 by President Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir while serving as stewards of the land, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from a bold idea into one of the region's leading wineries, earning the title "One of America's Great Pinot Noir Producers" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. In addition, all the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE and Salmon-Safe programs. With 1,000 acres under vine, Willamette farms its Estate winery in the Salem Hills, sparkling winery Domaine Willamette in the Dundee Hills, pioneering Tualatin Estate Vineyard near
Press Contacts:
Courtney Conte
Colangelo & Partners
cconte@colangelopr.com
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SOURCE Willamette Valley Vineyards