George Bravante - Founder
George has spent the last 20 years building a vertically integrated farming business. In the early 1990’s he started with a small vineyard and winery development in the Napa Valley of California.
Before founding Bravante Farm Capital, he spent 10 years in the real estate private equity business as the President of Colony Advisors, Inc. Prior to Colony, George was the President of American Real Estate Group
A proud Gamecock, George graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He resides in Visalia with his wife, Nancy.
Nancy Bravante - Founder/President
Nancy — for whom the scholarship was created to honor — currently directs operations for the Bravante Vineyards arm of Bravante Farm Capital. She is also heavily involved in the BMS process, serving as the main liaison between our program and our scouts.
Before settling in Visalia with her husband George, Nancy was a two-sport athlete at the University of Pacific in Stockton in California, where she swam and played tennis. She also earned her Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University.
Mario Bravante - Director/Mentor
A graduate of Missouri’s Walter J. Williams School of Journalism, Mario serves as the Director for the Bravante Mothers’ Scholarship. Following his graduation from Mizzou, Mario successfully pursued a career in college athletics, where he served as the Sports Information Director for Arkansas’ nationally ranked women’s basketball program. Mario is currently pursuing his Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University in Chicago.
Matt Bravante - Mentor
Like his oldest brother, Matt graduated from one of the finest public universities in America, earning his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina. Following his undergrad, Matt went abroad, earning his Specialized Masters of Energy Economics and Sustainability from Universita Boccini in Milan, Italy. Matt worked for Bloomberg following his schooling, but has recently founded his own company, 21st Century Infrastructure.
Will Bravante - Mentor
Will is a 2016 Alum of the University of Virginia, one of the best public universities in the country. He received degrees in both Spanish and Philosophy. Following Graduation, Will went to work as a business consultant at the high-powered Ernst & Young firm, and later as the Director of Operational Projects at Terracycle. Currently, Will is attempting to start his own business back at home in California. Will currently resides in Long Beach with his wife, Gloria and their dog, Fieldtrip.