Willard “Dub” Hay

Steering Committee Co-Chair

Development Committee

Dub has lived in Sonoma Valley since 1997. He came to the Valley for its food, wine, and outdoor living, but he stayed for the quality of interesting people that embrace the Valley as their home. He and his wife Lyn are the proud caretakers of a 1859 Sonoma home and the parents of their beloved Visla, Boogie. He has two sons and four grandchildren.

Since retirement, Dub has been active with numerous nonprofit organizations. He served 10 years on the Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley; nearly four years as Chairman of the Board and together with Lyn was honored as their 2024 Sweetheart. He is an active Rotarian for the past 10 years. He is a founding member of Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund and currently serves as Co-Chair.

Dub grew up in Rome, Ga., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served seven years as an advanced jet instructor. After military service, he worked for Proctor & Gamble and found his true passion - coffeee.

He spent the next 40 years as an internationally recognized coffee expert with Hills Brothers Coffee, Nestle, and Starbucks Coffee. He retired from Starbucks in 2012 as SVP Global Coffee Authority.