Alan is a part-time wine consultant. Besides advising customers on their wine selections, he also helps us with our media contact activitites, letting the public know about future Schaefer's events and updating the Schaefer's Events page for our website. He's also an occasional Third Thursday Wine Class facilitator.

After a 35-year career in facilities management, Alan retired in 2002 and began working part-time at Schaefer's. It's a much shorter commute to work these days as his home is only three blocks from the store. He holds a degree in German and his close family ties with Munich are helping Schaefer's expand its German and Austrian wine selections. Alan has lived in Evanston for 40 years and was a Schaefer's customer for 25 of those years before joining the staff. He is a master gardener and volunteers with the Lake County Forest Preserve and the Chicago Botanic Garden. He is an advocate for a number of environmental/ecological organizations. He also likes to make time for canoeing, camping and hiking with his four grandchildren.