RICHARD BENEFIELD
”Sommelier”

Richard Benefield is executive director of the George Rickey Foundation and a consultant to museums, foundations, and artists with projects underway in the U.S. and Europe. He is former executive director of The David Hockney Foundation and also served as deputy director and acting director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. He is the Founding Executive Director of The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, and served in executive roles at the Harvard University Art Museums, the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design; and the David Winton Bell Gallery at Brown University. After spending time in San Francisco, Sonoma, Napa, and Los Angeles, Richard and his husband John Kunowski returned to New England with their two Lagotto Romagnolo dogs, Rupert and Lizzy, in 2019. They live in Stratham, New Hampshire, where Richard serves on the board of the Robinwood Center.

JOHN KUNOWSKI
Amateur Wine Aficionado

John Kunowski spent nearly 40 years working in employee benefits and retirement education. He recently retired from Fidelity Investments where he helped manage large institutional relationships. His focus was on financial well-being and helping 401(k) plan participants realize their future financial goals. While taking time to figure out his next chapter, John spends his time on the AKC agility circuit with his youngest dog, Lizzy. In 2019, John moved back to the Seacoast after 11 years in California. While living in California, he spent part of his free time exploring the Sonoma County and Napa Valley wine regions. John lives in Stratham with his husband, Richard Benefield, and their two dogs, Rupert and Lizzy.