The Porter Family
Tom Porter, Owner
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Tom Porter grew up in Adrian, Michigan, where his passion for science and technology began. Encouraged by his chemist father, Tom experimented with rockets and electronics. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering at Michigan Technological University and, in 1968, started a 27-year career at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota. In 2015 Tom was the Commencement Speaker at Michigan Tech where he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree. At IBM, Tom worked on groundbreaking projects like IBM’s first digital modem and the BART ticketing system and was issued a patent for the 3.5-inch floppy disk mechanism. He then transitioned to technology management roles at IBM and later joined Western Digital as Engineering Vice President and first employee of the High-Performance Storage Division. He concluded his industry career as the CTO and Executive Vice President of Product Development at Seagate Technology, overseeing a $600 million R&D budget. Tom and his wife Beverly founded Porter Family Vineyards in Napa 2005, where their family joined them, bringing diverse expertise to the venture. The vineyard reflects Tom’s meticulous attention to detail and scientific approach. Tom is a cofounder and the Advisory Board Chair for HeartWorks, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation focused on developing new cell-based therapies for the treatment of congenital heart diseases (CHD). He also serves as an Officer of the HeartWorks Foundation. The Porters also run a family foundation supporting children in need, contributing to projects in Tanzania, Sarasota, Florida, and Rochester, Minnesota. |
Beverly Porter, Owner
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Beverly Porter was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, to parents of German descent. At 12, her family moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, fulfilling her father's dream of owning a resort. After finishing school, Beverly worked as a secretary in Chicago before moving to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1967, where she met her future husband, Tom Porter. Raising three children, Beverly later held managerial positions and engaged in school charities. In 2002, she and Tom founded the Porter Family Foundation, focusing on at-risk children. Now, Beverly manages the foundation as President. The Porters fulfilled their dream of owning a vineyard by establishing Porter Family Vineyards in Napa Valley. Their children, Timothy, Heather, and son-in-law Steven Wolfe, have joined them in this family venture. |
Tim Porter, President
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Tim grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, enjoying helping his father with home projects. He earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from North Dakota State University. Seeking warmer weather, Tim moved to Boston and began his career at Boston Financial Data Services. He later worked as a lab technician at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. In 1998, Tim joined DST, writing COBOL and CICS mainframe programs, while earning a Master's in Computer Science from Boston University. He continued his studies at Boston University, earning a Master's in Financial Economics, which led to a position at Mellon Financial. Eventually, Tim returned to his family in Napa to manage Porter Family Vineyards, writing software for the vineyard and handling company finances. Tim is deeply involved in charitable work, supporting Amani Children’s Home in Tanzania and helping to establish Friends of Amani Children's Home – US, a non-profit for Tanzanian children in need. |