Who Is Who In Cannabis: Latest Industry Appointments You Should Know About

Washington Cannabis Regulator Onboards New Director With 30 Years Of Cannabis Experience

The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board has brought in a leader from the Colorado tax department's Marijuana Enforcement Division to act as their new director, reported Crosscut.

Gov. Jay Inslee's office recently announced that Will Lukela, who started his new job on July 10, has three decades of regulatory and leadership experience within the cannabis industry.

Lukela serves as the Deputy Chief of Licensing for the Colorado Department of Revenue's Marijuana Enforcement Division and has been in this role since 2018.

"As the two pioneering states in the legalization of adult-use cannabis, Washington and Colorado face similar challenges," Lukela said in a statement. "I will continue to build on the impressive work of the agency across all regulated industries and pledge to work collaboratively with staff and stakeholders to build their trust and support through transparency."

Three Companies Announce Board Of Directors Voting Results

Meanwhile, the following three companies announced the voting results from their recently held annual meeting of shareholders.

Pathway Health Corp.'s PHC KL shareholders have approved fixing the number of directors at five members, including Alison Wright, Kenneth Howling, Ken Yoon, Mark Goldhar and Rakesh Jetly.

Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. CANN HERTF recently elected David Schwede, Clinton Sharples, and Celine Arsenault as company directors.

TILT Holdings Inc. TILT TLLTF set the number of directors at the recent meeting at five, with each of the directors elected, including John Barravecchia, Tim Conder, Adam Draizin, George Odden, and D'Angela Simms being obliged to hold office until the next annual general meeting of the company or until their earlier resignation or removal. To that end, Simms stepped down from the company's board shortly with Arthur Smuck, a cannabis and supply chain expert, being appointed as a director to fill the vacancy.

Other Board Of Directors Transitions

Agra Ventures Ltd. AGRA AGFAF tapped Jonathan Hirsh to serve as an independent board of directors member. Hirsh is a globally recognized figure in the cannabis industry, with multiple nominations for the Canadian Cannabis Awards, in both the "Influencer of the Year" and "Cannabis Crusader" categories. His impressive portfolio of partnerships comprises over 300 major cannabis-related brands.

Unrivaled Brands, Inc. UNRV announced recently that two of its directors, Nicholas Kovacevich and Eric Baum, will resign from the company's board of directors, effective July 1. The departures represent an orderly and intentional leadership transition and serve as a fundamental element of the California-based company's broader corporate and leadership restructuring.

Recent Top Appointments

One World Products' New President

One World Products, Inc. OWPC announced last week the appointment of Joerg Sommer as its president.

Having over two decades of comprehensive experience in the automotive industry, Sommer has "successfully taken multiple start-ups to and through their next level of growth by accelerating their revenue," said Isiah Thomas, chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas, Nevada-based company.

SNDL Names New CFO

SNDL Inc. SNDL recently welcomed seasoned financial executive Alberto Paredero-Quiros as its new CFO.

Paredero-Quiros brings over 25 years of management experience in the consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries, with demonstrated leadership and financial expertise in global organizations such as Mondelez International Inc., Novartis, Newell Brands Inc., and Procter & Gamble Company.

Bloomios' New National Sales Director

Bloomios, Inc. BLMS has appointed Kevin Henry to the new position of national sales director.

Henry brings over 15 years of sales and business development experience to the Santa Barbara, California-based company.

As national sales director, he will oversee Bloomios' sales strategy and execution, leading the company's efforts to forge strategic partnerships with retailers, expand distribution channels, and drive customer acquisition.

Sunsoil Appoints New VP Of Sales

Hemp company Sunsoil has tapped Lucinda Alcorn to serve as its new vice president of sales.

Alcorn brings an extensive background in the natural products industry. She previously worked with Tom's of Maine and Madhippie and Humble Brands, where she led sales.

Jones Soda's New CEO And President

Jones Soda Co.'s JSDA JSDA board of directors recently appointed David Knight as president and CEO of the Seattle-based company, Replacing Mark Murray, who opted to retire.

Knight is a business veteran who has previously served as vice president of marketing at Gatorade International for PepsiCo International, vice president of marketing Asia Pacific for Quaker Oats, vice president of internal communications for eBay Inc., and most recently was CEO and co-founder of SX Latin Liquors.

RS BioTherapeutics Names New SVP Of Medical & Scientific Affairs

RS BioTherapeutics has welcomed Michelle L. Shuffett, MD, as its senior vice president of medical and scientific affairs.

Dr. Shuffett served in senior roles at several organizations, including Synapse Medical Communications, Everyday Health, Columbia Care, and Radicle Science. She founded her consulting firm, Sea Sprite International Ltd., in 2018 and is an advisory board member for the 100 Million Ways Foundation and Maavee.

Verano Strengthens Leadership Team

Verano Holdings Corp. VRNO VRNOF has promoted Darren Weiss, currently a chief operating officer, chief legal officer and general counsel of the company, to the role of president. Weiss has been with the company since February 2021 and as general counsel since 2017.

John Tipton agreed to transition to the role of president of the southern region, supporting the company's continued expansion across Florida and new markets in the Southeastern U.S.

Trip McDermott, executive vice president of operations, has been promoted to chief operating officer.

The company's current deputy general counsel, Laura Kalesnik, has been elevated to the chief legal officer and general counsel role, expanding on her current responsibilities overseeing mergers and acquisitions, securities and corporate governance.

David Spreckman has been promoted to chief marketing officer from his position as executive vice president of marketing.

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Photo: Benzinga edit of photo by Pixabay