Ryan Gibbens - Ryan has been studying wine for more than ten years. He began at Penn State University working as a server at the Nittany Lion Inn. He was initially inducted into the wine world by some of his fellow wine fanatics from the restaurant staff. Within only one year, he was heading up the wine list. Two years later, the wine list he initiated earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. He was hooked on wine forever!

After earning his B.S. in Finance and International Business, Ryan spent time managing restaurants at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and the former Wyndham, Washington DC hotel. His unwavering attention to guest satisfaction earned him respect from co-workers in each of these positions. Ryan has since branched out and excelled as a sales representative for a wine wholesaler.

While he was originally self-taught, Ryan has passed the Master Sommelier Introductory Course with 100% on the exam (something very few individuals can claim), and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Advanced Course with merit. He also passed the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam last year with high scores.

Erin Gibbens - Erin has nine years of experience in the education field. She has five years of classroom instruction experience and has spent the past four years as a project manager on learning and performance improvement projects. Erin's professional experience includes work performed for the United States Government, public, private, and non-profit corporations, and public and private schools.

She graduated from California University of Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She made the leap to adult education when she earned her M.Ed. from George Mason University in Instructional Technology and completed a graduate certificate in e-Learning. Most recently, she earned a certificate in learning and performance consulting from the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD).

* Ryan and Erin's most recent and prized collaborative effort led to the birth of their second daughter in April 2010, Clara Breaghan.