Kayla Cook, Events Coordinator and Hallie O’Reilly, Office Manager
SEATTLE-October 24, 2011-Underscoring its ascent as the Northwest’s largest privately held wine company, Precept Wine announced today the appointments of three newly created positions: Heidi Witherspoon, Communications Director; Kayla Cook, Consumer Relations and Events Coordinator; and Hallie O’Reilly, Office Manager. All three will be based from Precept Wine’s new Seattle headquarters at 1910 Fairview Avenue East.
“With the addition of these valued hires, we are able to better serve our brands and equally important, our own internal teams,” said Precept Wine’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Alex Evans. “We’re excited about the contributions these talented individuals will bring the company.”
Witherspoon will handle communications, media outreach and bureau affairs for Precept Wine and its brand portfolio. She brings more than 15 years of communications experience from ad agency, newsroom and public relations backgrounds. She previously served as senior copywriter at Wilson Public Relations in Seattle working with retailers, restaurants and agricultural concerns. Professional credits include The Honolulu Advertiser, Greek Gods Yogurt, Northwest Cherries, Metropolitan Market, Ivar’s, Taco Del Mar, the City of Bremerton and the Washington Wines Festival.
Cook will spearhead both national and regional trade and consumer events for Precept Wine, such as participation in wine authority Leslie Sbrocco’s Thirsty Girl 2.0 tour, select Gilt Group events, nonprofit sponsorships, Precept Wine’s Ambassador program and industry-related bureau activities. Cook was handpicked for the new position after serving as Event Coordinator at Precept Wine’s Apex at Alder Ridge Tasting Room. Cook is a 2008 graduate of Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
O’Reilly will manage Precept’s new Seattle office facility and hospitality for its Northwest tasting rooms. She brings six years of administrative and service experience including previous posts at Brighton-Jones LLC, Eastern Washington University-External Student Affairs, and American Land Development. O’Reilly earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Eastern Washington University in 2009.