Jessica Bird is a Senior Associate with Zepponi & Company, and has been working with the firm since it began. Her primary responsibilities include assisting in the creation of client marketing materials, reviewing and facilitating the exchange of due diligence materials, managing closing and escrow activities, and interfacing with clients, buyers and their consultants, as well as preparing and managing transaction data rooms. Jessica is a licensed real estate salesperson.
Jessica has assisted in the closing of several transactions, including White Cottage Ranch, Chalk Hill Estate Winery, and Kenwood Vineyards, as well as several other wineries and vineyards across California, Oregon and Washington.
Prior to Zepponi & Company, Jessica was employed in the legal field, working on matters ranging from family law to corporate and class action litigation. She also has a background in graphic design and restaurant management.
George Coope, Senior Director of Strategy & Analysis, has more than twenty-five years of investment banking and advisory experience in the wine, beer and distilled spirits industries. Prior to joining Zepponi & Company, George held senior roles at several boutique investment banks in San Francisco and was a founding member of the consumer practice group at Hambrecht & Quist LLC. George also worked in R&D and operations at Miller Brewing Company. George is a former director of Patz & Hall Wine Company and The Coppola Companies.
George graduated with a BA from Stanford University, an MS in food science with a specialization in viticulture and enology from UC Davis and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Prior to attending UC Davis, he worked as an apprentice to the general manager and winemaker at Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé in Chambolle-Musigny, France.
Cody Jennings is a Senior Vice President with Zepponi & Company and has been with the firm since 2009. Prior to joining Zepponi & Company, Cody was a senior financial analyst at Jackson Family Wines, where he managed all farming-related finance and accounting matters for the company’s portfolio of wineries.
Cody plays an active role in the firm’s transaction review and assessment processes, performing business valuations and working directly with clients to develop strategic marketing materials. He was actively involved in the closing of several transactions, including Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Four Vines and Langtry Estate.
Cody received a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Sonoma State University.
Lisa Manning is a Senior Associate with Zepponi & Company and joined the firm in September 2016. Lisa’s primary responsibilities include providing client support, managing document workflow throughout the transaction process, reviewing and facilitating the exchange of due diligence materials, managing closing and escrow activities, and interfacing with clients, buyers and their consultants, as well as preparing and managing transaction data rooms. She is also responsible for coordinating client communications and assisting in the creation of client marketing materials.
Prior to joining Zepponi & Company, Lisa served as a Litigation and Transaction Paralegal for 30 years working with several notable law firms, including Napa Valley‑based wine industry law firm Dickenson Peatman & Fogerty. During her tenure as a paralegal, Lisa specialized in wine, business and real estate litigation and transaction matters.
Morgen Muñoz joined Zepponi & Company as an Associate in May 2019. Morgen’s primary responsibilities include providing client support, managing document workflow throughout the transaction process, preparing and managing transaction data rooms, coordinating client communications, and assisting in the creation of client marketing materials.
Prior to joining Zepponi & Company, Morgen worked as a litigation paralegal and investigator. She assisted on a broad range of cases ranging from human rights to probate and personal injury. Morgen graduated from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business with a B.S. in Commerce in Finance and Political Science.
