about us
At Wine Country Party & Events we understand the challenges of organizing and executing successful events, from weddings and private parties to fund-raising galas and corporate banquets.
To us, “simply excellent” is more than a tagline; it’s how we do business. We value fairness, teamwork, integrity, and efficiency. We do what we say we will, we do it on time, we do it on budget, and we do it with style.
Over the years, we have developed a complete set of methods and resources designed to help you from start to finish, from behind the scenes to center stage. Locally owned and operated since 1976, our company has grown to include a showroom and warehouse in Sonoma, nearly 100 employees, and a fleet of delivery vehicles. We also work regularly with the finest caterers, resorts, venues, and event professionals in the North Bay.
Most important, our staff is not only knowledgeable and creative, but also completely dedicated to making sure you look your best, and that your guests have a great experience. Training, attention to detail, and an understanding of what you need from a rental company tell us when to lead, when to follow, and when to get out of the way.
Meet Our Team
You’ll like the people you meet at Wine Country Party & Events. We believe in teamwork, with one another and with our clients. While we come from a variety of business backgrounds, we all understand excellence and the value of a proven process. We each have a history of exceeding expectations and are committed to exceeding yours, too.
Marshall Bauer, President
Before moving to the Wine Country to lead a local business, Marshall Bauer spent 20 years managing sales and field sales operations for telecommunications companies, including ROLM, MFS Realcom, and GE Capital Rescom. As an entrepreneur, he has raised millions of dollars in venture capital and helped successfully turn around two companies and launch a third. He is now drawing upon his recruiting, training, and team-building experience to develop the highest level of service in the rental industry. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Babson College and a master's degree in business from Southern Methodist University. He lives in Santa Rosa with his wife and son, enjoying skiing, golf, and motorcycling. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Sonoma Jazz+.
707.478.5424
mbauer@winecountryparty.com
Leslie Bauer, Development
Originally headed for I. Magnin’s executive training program in San Francisco following her graduation from Stanford University, Leslie Bauer put her plans on hold to move with a girlfriend to Denver, Colorado to be closer to her love – skiing. Rather than landing in fashion, Leslie landed in tech and began her career in sales and sales management with Xerox Corporation, IBM, and MFS RealCom. The Bauer’s purchase of Wine Country Party & Events, and the move to Wine Country, has given Leslie the perfect opportunity to renew her passion for fashion and design – this time on the tabletop instead of the rack!
707.326.4272
lbauer@winecountryparty.com
Tami Casias, Event Consultant
Tami wrote news and feature articles for publications in the city and county of Sonoma for 16 years while volunteering for local non profits and chairing fundraising events. She moved over to the event industry full time in early 2008. A 23-year Sonoma resident, she and her husband are raising their fourth child while the other three are in college. Her spare time is spent writing fiction and traveling.
707.940.6035
tcasias@winecountryparty.com
Rebecca Christian, Event Consultant
Before coming to WCPE, Rebecca spent several years in the retail and food service industries specializing in sales and management. She enjoys working with people and strives on always providing exceptional customer service. Rebecca attended Santa Rosa Junior College as well as Moorpark College in Southern California. She is currently enrolled in classes to complete her degree in Business. Rebecca returned to her Sonoma County roots where she met and fell in love with her husband, Paul. A recent newlywed, Rebecca feels right at home helping clients plan events after planning her own 2008 wedding. Rebecca and Paul are the parents of three active daughters who spend their time attending volleyball games, ballet recitals and enjoying Friday family movie night.
707.940.6060
rchristian@winecountryparty.com
Paul Conway, Director of Strategic Accounts
An event planning and logistics expert, Paul Conway has more than 15 years experience in the industry, including the last ten at Wine Country Party & Events. He has helped to build the company's reputation for excellence through planning auctions, festivals, weddings, fundraisers, and other events for corporate and individual clients. After receiving degrees in French and Spanish, he lived and worked in France, Spain, and Italy, and then returned to San Francisco, where he began his event career in the catering business. Today he lives in Sonoma Valley with his wife and three children.
707.940.6017
pconway@winecountryparty.com
Ann-Marie Curran, Account Executive
Hospitality, event-planning, and guest satisfaction have been the focus of every position held by Ann-Marie since she first ventured into the world of work. A Sonoma County native, she grew up surrounded by the people and the influences of the wine country. After graduating from the University of San Diego she held positions in San Diego as a Catering Sales Manager specializing in the wedding market as well as corporate Catering Sales at the San Diego Convention Center
Following her career path, but drawn back to family and the lure of Wine Country, she happily accepted a post as Director of Catering at the new Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa, Santa Rosa's newest luxury hotel. Her next position took her further into the world of wine as she became the Director of Hospitality at Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery. Her current position at Wine Country Party and Events combines all the experience in hotels, and winery, and the event planning business to assist her clients with creating Simply Excellent Wine Country events.
707.940.6016
acurran@winecountryparty.com
Ellen Finley, Accountant
Ellen Finley has worked in the Accounting Department of Wine Country Party & Events for four years. She previously managed accounting functions for a computer firm. A Sonoma resident, she enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling with her husband in their motor home.
707.940.6015
efinley@winecountryparty.com
Tiffany Gage, Event Consultant
Tiffany Gage spent 12 well rounded years in the food service industry before entering the world of special events. Working for a small, high-end Catering and Event Production company in Los Angeles for several years, she collaborated with some of the most well known and respected figures in the industry. There she coordinated and managed occasions ranging from small private parties to high profile events such as Macy’s Passport. These experiences made for a smooth transition into the Party Rental industry, when she joined Wine Country Party & Events in 2003. She enjoys working with clients, and has also lent a hand in assisting with inventory purchases. Tiffany and her husband enjoy spending time together with their two young children.
707.940.6050
tgage@winecountryparty.com
Libby Graves, Sales Center Manager
Libby Graves brings a strong background in customer service to Wine Country Party & Events, spending 13 years with Santa Rosa gift manufacturer and wholesaler Lasercraft, where she sold to clients such as Hallmark, Hewlett-Packard, Neiman Marcus, and other leading companies. Most recently, she worked in quality assurance at FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground. She is a graduate of Empire College and lives in Rohnert Park with her husband and two daughters. Her pastimes include boating and gardening.
707.940.6034
lgraves@winecountryparty.com
Scott Johnson, Design
Prior to moving to Sonoma County, Scott spent 15 years living and working in San Francisco. Having spent the prior 15 years in retail sales management, Scott has worked for I Magnin, Giorgio Armani & Banana Republic. His recent 7 years as Sales and Project Manager for a San Francisco Interior Design firm has brought his experience in design to Wine Country Party. Additionally, Scott has worked with numerous Bay-area non-profit AIDS organizations in fund-raising and project management. He lives in Healdsburg with his partner and enjoys anything outdoors, entertaining friends and collecting movie memorabilia.
707.940.6018
sjohnson@winecountryparty.com
Amy Ross, Feng Shui Consultatant
Amy Ross is a certified Feng Shui consultant. Amy's training is extensive and she has been taught by world-renown leaders, including Yasha Jampolsky, Roger Green, Alex Stark and Janine Björnson. Amy was trained to apply classical methods, in an ecologically sustainable way. Amy was trained to apply classical methods, in an ecologically sustainable way. Amy is currently the in-house Feng Shui consultant for Wine Country Party and Events, an innovative leader in the special events industry. She resides in Glen Ellen, CA, with her husband, Kevin, a Macintosh software developer, with whom she has co-authored, Twenty-Four Mountains: technological savvy for the modern day Feng Shui consultant. The first ever Feng Shui software for the Macintosh.
707.939.8649
aross@winecountryparty.com
Julie Wojciechowski, Event Consultant
For over 8 years Julie has assisted the general public and event professionals alike with Wine Country Party and Events planning everything from large hotel weddings and gala events to intimate home parties. In previous positions, she has worked in hotel event planning and catering in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. Married 30 years and the mother of four children, she has lived in Sonoma for the past 26 years. Her other profession is teaching children throughout Sonoma schools and at the Parkpoint club as a dance instructor.
707.940.6005
jwojo@winecountryparty.com
