Constance McDerby:  “Lifelong” Friend of New Danville

I came to Houston from New Orleans in 2000 in the radio marketing business.  It turned out to be a great career background for what I am doing now, and coming to Houston turned out to be a great move for a new career that is basically a hobby out of control.

New Orleans had great events that brought together wine and culinary experiences. I was surprised at the lack of those options in the Houston area, so when an opportunity to make a career change appeared, I knew what I wanted to try. Actually, I had wanted to get into the wine and culinary experience realm for a while. I prayed about it. A lot.  I kept hearing “not yet” when I prayed. So, I waited.

The wait came to an end when the radio broadcasting company that I worked for went through yet another re-organization. My position was eliminated and I was given a wonderful separation package that enabled me to act on what I had been thinking and praying about: create wine and culinary events that provide great experiences for attendees and support to nonprofits.  I was particularly interested in “stealth charities” when I started, that is those who most people didn’t know about and that would benefit greatly from marketing visibility and financial support. I started Food & Vine Time Productions in 2002 and created Wine & Food Week in 2005, the year New Danville was established. It was for the first Wine & Food Week that New Danville and I joined forces. You could say New Danville and business are lifelong friends – their lifetimes, that is.

My husband’s brother was special needs. I have seen the challenges that individuals and families experience when facing the variety of conditions that comprise “special needs.” I am very happy to help others with those challenges.

Our events have benefitted hundreds of nonprofits over the years. We have never turned down a request from a nonprofit. Our support has totaled more than $2 million and includes several ways we support charities with opportunities to garner funds, like Wine & Food Week, or direct contributions or in-kind contributions or…well, we always find one way or another to help out. 25-30% of our revenue goes to nonprofits.

New Danville has been with us from the beginning and I look forward to years to come.