Roger Walther

Roger Walther graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1958. After receiving his MBA from the Wharton School in 1961, he spent three years at Procter & Gamble in brand management. Along with two P&G associates, he co-founded the American Institute for Foreign Study, Inc. and was its President and CEO. The company designed, marketed, and operated a broad range of academic and cultural travel programs worldwide. Over a million people have participated in its programs.

Roger was Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Richmond, The American International University in London. In 1992, he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ELS Language Centers, the largest provider of English as a second language instruction in the United States.

In 1980, Roger co-founded and was Chairman of the Board of San Francisco Bancorp, which was sold in 1984. He co-founded First Republic Bank and served as Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors from 1985 to 2007.

In 2000 Roger purchased San Francisco Magazine, and in 2005 he acquired the AM and FM radio stations in Napa Valley. He also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tusker Corporation, a real estate management firm.

Roger and his wife Anne live in San Francisco and in the Napa Valley.  He joined Festival Napa Valley’s Board of Directors in 2015 and serves on the Executive Committee.