San Luis Obispo, Calif.—Benoit Lecat is the new department head for the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences’ Wine & Viticulture Department.

Lecat previously worked at the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon, France and holds an undergraduate degree in management and two masters degrees in management and political science from the Catholic University of Mons in Belgium and a doctorate in management and marketing from the Louvain School of Management in Belgium. Lecat’s research interests are wine pricing, tourism, branding and the management of luxury goods.

“I am ecstatic to join Cal Poly’s Wine & Viticulture Department at this momentous time,” said Lecat in a statement released by the school announcing his appointment. “In a very short time the program has become the top in the nation and we have strong plans in place to guarantee that our students continue to excel.”

Lecat is charged with playing an integral role in raising additional funds to pay for the department’s planned Center for Wine & Viticulture. The new Center for Wine & Viticulture will offer sensory, enology and viticulture teaching labs and a commercial-grade bonded winery designed to offer students to gain a comprehensive understanding of vineyards and grape cultivation, the winemaking process, and the business of wine marketing and distribution.