Cannabis Movers & Shakers: Organigram, Redwood Green, XS Financial, Canateq, Curaleaf

As we wind up another week, let’s sum up the latest leadership changes across the cannabis industry.

Organigram Senior VP of Marketing And Communications Resigns

Organigram Holdings Inc. OGI OGI confirmed the resignation of Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Ray Gracewood.

Gracewood left to “pursue other interests,” according to the release.

“Ray is a pioneer in cannabis marketing," Organigram CEO Greg Engel said. "He has been instrumental in launching Organigram’s medical business and building out its adult-use recreational brand portfolio.”

Julie Chamberlain will replace Gracewood in the role.

Chamberlain, who has served as General Manager for the NYX Professional Division at L’Oréal, and Senior Brands Strategist at Irving Oil, joined Organigram in 2019 as the Senior Director of Brand.

For more on Organigram, see the company's third-quarter results.

Christopher Hansen Returns As Redwood Green CEO

Former PharmaCielo CEO and president Christopher Hansen has returned to the position of Redwood Green Corp.'s RDGC CEO following his withdrawal from the role in February.

The decision is effective July 20, the Denver-based CBD consumer packaged goods company announced.

Hansen disclosed that Redwood Green "continues to report steady and growing revenues," through its Good Meds operating unit, despite the "global economic turmoil" related to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I look forward to working immediately with the board and executive team to revise our strategy to ensure we remain nimble now, as well as later when we enter a 'post-COVID' economic climate," Hansen said.

Redwood Green is the parent company of both General Extract and Good Meds. 

Last year, General Extract inked a deal with PharmaCielo Ltd. to sell bulk medicinal CBD isolate, which is produced by the Canadian-Colombian company, in several U.S. states.

Meanwhile, it seems that cannabis producers in Latin America are ramping up their operations, considering the recent news from Khiron Life Sciences Corp. KHRN (OTCQX: KHRNF).

According to the recent announcement, the Toronto-based company obtained all regulatory approvals to launch the import, distribution, and commercialization of CBD medical cannabis products to Peru.

XS Financial Inc. Welcomes Jim Bates And Kenneth Senter

XS Financial Inc., which provides equipment-leasing solutions to US-based operators of cannabis and hemp companies, has welcomed Jim Bates and Kenneth Senter to its ranks.

Bates, who will serve as Director of Risk, brings over 30 years of experience in collections, credit, documentation, and operations.

During his career, he worked with several companies, including Arvest Equipment Finance, CHG-Meridian USA Corp., Whitney Equipment Finance LLC, an AIG Commercial Equipment Finance Inc., and Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.

Prior to joining XS, Senter, who sharpened his sales, management and training skills for more than 30 years, served in several leadership positions.

In addition, for 15 years, he operated his leasing and financial consulting group.

Sentner will serve as XS’ Director of Client Services.

“Both Jim and Ken have been excellent additions to the XS team providing sound knowledge of the finance and leasing world,” stated David Kivitz, CEO of XS Financial. “Combined, these two have over 60 years of leasing experience.”

Canateq Holdings Taps Two Former Execs And Tech Entrepreneurs To Advisory Board

California nano-biotech company Canateq Holdings confirmed appointments of two former Molson-Coors' executives and a technology entrepreneur to its advisory board Thursday.

The Mission Viejo-based company welcomed Mark Hunter, a former Molson Coors' President, and CEO, who retired in September.

Hunter, who spent three decades in the beer business, will help with the shaping of Canateq's growth strategy.

Earlier, he participated in the development of a portfolio of cannabis beverages through a joint venture with Hexo.  

Former Molson Coors International's President, Kandy Anand, has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership.

During his career, he served in multinational companies, including Unilever and Coca-Cola.

Fred Brown, who has sold his last two ventures for more than $80 million, is an AI and healthcare entrepreneur, holding over 30 patents.

"It's a milestone when successful individuals such Mark, Kandy and Fred believe in the vision and want to help execute," stated the company's CEO Josh Downey, adding they "look forward to their guidance."

Curaleaf Appoints Grassroots' Mitchell Kahn To Its Board 

The Massachusetts-based Curaleaf CURA CURLF welcomed Grassroots’ founder and CEO Mitchell Kahn to its board of directors.

Kahn's appointment is a part of a month's long process of acquisition of GR Companies Inc., which significantly expanded Curaleaf's operational, processing, and cultivation capacities.

Curaleaf finalized the acquisition Thursday, that way, "expanding into "new vertically integrated markets in the Midwest," and "firmly establishing our U.S. market leadership position," said Curaleaf's CEO Joseph Lusardi.

Kahn, who currently serves as Frontline Real Estate Partners' Principal and CEO, co-founded Grassroots in 2014.