Michael Stajer

Current

CEO at WineCommune LLC

Past

Associate at Skadden Arps
Managing Partner at SGB,Inc.
Manager at SGB, Inc.

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Education

University of California, Hastings College of the Law
University of California, Berkeley

Recommended

4 people have recommended Michael

Connections

195 connections

Industry

Wine and Spirits

Websites

Michael Stajer’s Summary

BIOGRAPHY
Michael Stajer

Michael is an entrepreneur and attorney who has founded and managed several successful businesses. He has helped lead the wine industry online and bring technology to the beverage industry.

Current CEO/Founder of WineCommune LLC - a leader in using technology to improve the wine business. WineCommune operates JJ Buckley Fines Wines (jjbuckley.com) an online fine wine retailer, WineZap (winezap.com) a wine search engine, and WineCommune (winecommune.com) an online wine marketplace. Further, WineCommune help's other wine industry businesses such as retailers and distributors use technology to improve their operations and sales.

WineCommune's annual revenues are close to $20 million and it has been profitable since 1999. The company has little debt and never took outside financing. It employees thirty professionals who are committed to building the next generation wine business. The company has received several recognitions and accolades. Most recently it was the named the #1 Fastest Growing Company in the Bay Area by San Francisco Business Times. Earlier in 2007 it was named to the Inc. Magazine 500 - a review of the fastest growing private companies.

As Managing Partner of SGB, Inc. he helped grow a small neighborhood restaurant into a multi location restaurant company. It was there he developed his love of wine.

Currently, Michael mentors the managers of two startup companies with exciting new innovations. He is actively seeking to make some angel or early stage investments in new ideas.

Although he does not practice, Michael is a attorney and member of the State Bar of California. He does handle several pro bono matters per year and stays current on legal matters.

Michael has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Time Magazine, Business Week, Entrepreneur Magazine and several regional publications and television and radio shows.

Contact:
Michael Stajer
stajer@winecommune.com

Michael Stajer’s Specialties:

technology, wine, online, law, taxation, pilot, application development, ecommerce, online marketing,brand, mobile applications, hardware, business development, business growth

Michael Stajer’s Experience

CEO

WineCommune LLC

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Internet industry)

January 1999 — Present (9 years 7 months)

Founded and helm a company focused on next generation wine related technology products. For example, we help wine retailers sell more wine online or help wine buyers find wine at the best prices.
Associate

Skadden Arps

(Privately Held; 5001-10,000 employees; Law Practice industry)

2002 — 2003 (1 year)
Managing Partner

SGB,Inc.

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Food & Beverages industry)

1996 — 1999 (3 years)

Owner and managing partner of restaurant and catering company.
Manager

SGB, Inc.

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Hospitality industry)

January 1994 — October 1995 (1 year 10 months)

Manager of the flagship restaurant in a small restaurant company

Michael Stajer’s Education

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

J.D., Taxation, 1999 — 2002

Activities and Societies:

Magna Cum Laude,Hastings Law Journal,LegalVines
University of California, Berkeley

BA, English, 1992 — 1996