NywccAlexa Gifford has been named executive director of the not-yet-open New York Wine & Culinary Center (NYWCC). She joins the not-for-profit organization after more than five years with the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, most recently as the organization’s president. Under the direction of the NYWCC’s board of directors, Gifford will manage the Center’s operations
and lead a staff of full- and part-time personnel.

"The excitement is building for the opening of New York Wine and Culinary Center, and naming an executive director is an important step," said Rob Sands, COO and president of Constellation Brands, and chairman of the NYWCC board. "Three months after breaking ground on the site, it is wonderful
to begin to assemble a dedicated team of professionals to lead the Center. The Board is looking forward to working with Alexa and is excited about what she brings to the table in the realm of tourism, community and government relations, as well as her overall enthusiasm about the center."

The New York Wine & Culinary Center, a $7.5 miilion gateway to New York State food, wine and agriculture, will open next summer in Canandaigua, N.Y. Constellation Brands, Inc., Wegmans, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation partnered to establish
the not-for-profit organization, which will be housed in the new 19,475 square-foot facility. The Center will provide a positive and measurable impact on the region, with additional job growth in hospitality, agriculture, tourism, wine, food, health and nutrition.