Frank Howard Allen Realtors welcomes Juan Gallegos

n Gerrett Snedaker, Henry Mayo and Earl Shuttleworth, owners of Frank Howard Allen Realtors, the Wine Country Group, announce that Juan Gallegos has joined its Napa office sales team.

Gallegos is fluent in English and Spanish, and will be a service to the bilingual community and assisting with its real estate needs.

Gallegos has lived in Napa for 33 years and attended Napa schools.

He can be reached at 265-1607 or juan@winecountrygroup.com.

Santen launches new product

n Santen Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of global ophthalmic pharmaceutical company Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan, announces the launch of its fourth product IQUIX (levofloxacin ophthalmic solution) 1.5 percent, through an agreement with Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC.

The agreement gives Vistakon Pharmaceuticals exclusive U.S. marketing and distribution rights for IQUIX, Santen's most recent ocular anti-infective medication. IQUIX is the only newer-generation fluoroquinolone approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of corneal ulcers.

In 2003, Santen granted Vistakon Pharmaceuticals sole U.S. distribution rights for its other three products: QUIXIN (levofloxacin ophthalmic solution), BETIMOL (timolol ophthalmic solution) and ALAMAST (pemirolast potassium ophthalmic solution).

"Santen has world-class R&D and clinical development capabilities" said Santen Inc's President and CEO Adrienne Graves. "IQUIX is an innovative new product and we are confident that Vistakon Pharmaceuticals will leverage its experience with QUIXIN to increase our penetration in the anti-infective market."

Santen researches, develops and markets ophthalmic products for physicians worldwide.

Chamber hires Caryl Chakerian

n The Napa Chamber of Commerce announces Caryl Chakerian will replace Kathleen Dreessen, who recently joined Napa Valley Community Housing as their executive director.

Chakerian joins the communications team at the chamber as committee liaison with responsibility for disseminating information generated by chamber committees, projects, members, and programs.

She has 20 years of experience in the restaurant, hospitality and staffing industries, while her time as a Realtor in Napa has broadened her understanding of local issues.

"I am so excited to be joining the team at Napa's Chamber, this is a great opportunity to contribute to Napa's ongoing health and development, while working with a great group of people. Stepping into Kathleen's shoes is a challenge I look forward to," said Chakerian.

NEWS names new members

n Napa Emergency Women's Services is proud to announce the new slate of officers of the board of directors for 2007-08.

Don Hitchcock is in his second year on the board, and is serving as president.

After 25 years of private practice as a physician here in Napa, Hitchcock is currently the medical director for the community outreach and care redesign departments at Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

Hitchcock has always had an interest in the non-profit sector, and was especially impressed by the much needed services provided by NEWS.

"As a family doctor, I was aware of a number of patients accessing the phone numbers for NEWS that were posted in our exam rooms and was always impressed with NEWS as one of the leading non-profit agencies in Napa County."

Vice president is Cathy D'Angelo Holmes, commercial Realtor with Coldwell Banker Commercial. A native Napan, Holmes lived in Dallas for 20 years, and returned to Napa five years ago with her husband Dave and daughter Emma. This is her third year on the Board of NEWS which provides her the enjoyment of being involved in positive changes for the community of Napa.

Sandy Re, Treasurer, joined the board this year. Re is one of the founding members and vice president of Napa Community Bank. She joined NEWS' board because domestic violence is an issue very close to her heart.

"It is amazing that this organization is able to fulfill so many needs for women, children and families in crisis. NEWS provides realistic, compassionate help without being judgmental."

Re also supports youth programs and education, is a volunteer at Hospice Napa Valley, and has worked in Napa since 1998.

Serving her second term as secretary is Sandy Cooper, senior vice president of human resources at Dey L.P. This is Cooper's fourth year of service on the NEWS Board.

Jennie Thayer (formerly Williams) joins the staff of NEWS as Development/Marketing Director. A Napa native, she has almost two decades of local non-profit experience, is president of the board of Project Grad Nite, and a member of Napa Kiwanis. She recently married Steve Thayer, owner of Gents Barbershop.