Ivonne Dresser
2023 Women in Wine Awards: Trailblazer
Transition from a major winery to an industry supplier: “With degrees in biology and microbiology from UC Davis, I served as a research technician at E & J Gallo and came to Gusmer Enterprises as a regional technical sales manager, and later as director of fermentation development and applications,” Dresser said.
She observed that wineries strive to upgrade and maintain technology tools, optimize fermentation and filtration media and develop better strains. This involves conducting surveys, studies, and analytical lab tests to identify good or bad organisms, minimize spoilage and enhance research-and-development implementation.
“We believe in continuous improvement and are creating a new customer partnership to bring more knowledge from the field to our lab by tracking data that can inform new ways to enhance processes,” she said.
Management style when working with widely disbursed teams: “My teams consist of technical managers, applications and R&D scientists and field engineers who work to support Gusmer’s beverage customers and innovate new products.”
Beyond providing essential tools, our task involves helping wine clients compete in the market, find better, faster and more efficient ways to process and differentiate their products, plus offer new choices while keeping pace with consumer tastes and preferences.
Dresser revealed this can result in enhancing traditional, natural or complex flavors, or introducing new fresh or fruity aromas.
“I take a coaching consensus-building approach to build, guide and lead my teams, while challenging them with questions, offering suggestions and support as they grow. It’s important to accept their input with an open mind and to listen carefully to their insights on emerging trends and possible new applications we can provide. Each person brings special expertise to the group in keeping with the Gusmer motto: ”To Provide Service with Knowledge.”
About the company
Gusmer Enterprises Inc. was founded in 1918 to provide products to the brewing market. In 1924, Aage Gusmer incorporated our company as the exclusive distributor of a tank coating for the North and South American brewing industry.
Today, Gusmer is one of the leading beverage filtration manufacturer and suppliers of processing aids and equipment to the entire beverage industry, focusing on the beer, wine, juice and distilled spirits segments. Gusmer continues to manufacture and exclusively represent many worldwide suppliers of superior products for fermentation applications.
Ivonne Dresser
Gusmer Enterprises Inc.
Sonoma County
Director of technical product support and development for fermentation
Gusmer Fermentation Center, 2200 Northpoint Parkway, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Phone: 866-213-1131
Website: gusmerenterprises.com