Elevate Your Grind

Rosie Mattio started her solo PR-firm in 2004, then called RMPR. Since moving to Seattle in 2014 and recognizing the opportunity in the cannabis space, she has grown to become one of the industry's key players. She was recently included on Marijuana Ventures 40 Under 40 list, and we're super excited to have had her on Elevate Your Grind. 

Have you met Cynthia Brewer, Vice President of Kaycha Labs?

Cynthia started her Cannabis career in 2016 as a patient advocate and Medical Cannabis program supporter. She has been a part of Kaycha Labs LLC since its inception in Summer 2017, initially starting as Director of Operations and Sales with a focus on connecting and building relationships with Florida’s licensed MMTCs and helping to procure their laboratory’s ISO/17025 accreditation and state licensure.

Today Cynthia helps to procure laboratory testing licenses for Kaycha Labs in various markets nationwide and works attentively with the MMTCs in Florida and cannabis companies throughout the country.

Bryan Passman is the co-founder and CEO of Hunter + Esquire, a full-service, cannabis-specific executive recruitment and consulting agency. Bryan's professional background before launching H+E was in retained executive search for 18 years in MedTech/Pharma (15 yrs) and Food and Adult Beverage CPG (3 yrs). His deep knowledge of those highly regulated and nuanced industries has helped H+E significantly understand the needs and wants of cannabis clients, and today he shares his insight during a particularly tricky job market. 

Charles Warner is the CEO of Innovative Properties Worldwide, a veteran-owned media company out of Denver, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s many areas of specialization, including custom publishing, sponsorship sales, onsite activation, audience development, ad sales training, and branded content. Prior to IPW, Charles oversaw a Florida media company that produced over 300 high-end event publications for some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world, such as the PGA, NASCAR, LPGA, NCAA March Madness, NCAA college football, the Super Bowl, and the World Series.

Dana Chaves is one of the unsung heroes when it comes to moving the cannabis industry forward. Dana is the former chairwoman of NCIA’s Banking Access Committee and Director of Specialty Banking at First Federal Bank of Florida. Banking and cannabis have always had a tricky relationship, but it's been especially difficult for cannabusiness owners during the past few months. We had on Dana Chaves, Director of Specialty Banking at First National Bank and member of the NCIA Banking Access Committee, to discuss how some businesses were left out of the SBA stimulus, and what to expect in terms of funding moving forward.

Paula Savchenko is an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini, P.A, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ms. Savchenko joined the firm in 2013 and practices primarily in the areas of Taxation and Administrative Law matters, as she counsels and represents businesses and individuals in their dealings with government agencies. More specifically, most of her work involves tax and regulatory matters, with an emphasis on state and local taxation.

Darnell Williams has not been active in the cannabis community for as long as some others, but his story has given him a very unique view. In 2015 Darnell was diagnosed with CHF (Congestive Heart failure) and within a matter of weeks, he was unable to even walk to the restroom without stopping to take a break. Over the course of 2 years, he survived the implantation of an internal/external LVAD heart pump and was able to finally receive a donor heart for transplantation. With no previous cannabis experience, Darnell decided to turn to Cannabis therapies to help with his failing physical therapy. Darnell has since then recovered and currently plans and executes educational events for Trulieve. The same company he purchased his first cannabis product from. Sharing the knowledge he has gathered to help educate others on how cannabis can become a healthier alternative medicine for those who choose to use it.

Jonathan Robbins represents public and private companies and individuals in complex regulatory and litigation matters in the financial services and regulated substances sectors. His experience encompasses investigations and administrative and enforcement proceedings brought by federal, state, and self-regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Florida Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Financial Services, and Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. He is a go-to resource for broker-dealers and registered persons in securities-related cases filed in both federal and state courts, as well as in FINRA arbitration proceedings addressing both customer and sector disputes.

Jonathan has represented numerous broker-dealers and clearing firms ranging in size from smaller, regional broker-dealer and investment advisory firms to major national wirehouses. He serves as an arbitrator in securities arbitrations between both customers and members and associated persons and members. He frequently represents clients adverse to the SEC while working with the enforcement agency as counsel for receivers appointed by U.S. District Courts.

In addition to his financial services work, Jonathan serves as the leader of Akerman’s Cannabis Practice, counseling clients on the evolving, complex legal and business issues impacting companies with interests in the regulated substances industries. Ranked by Chambers USA as a top lawyer in Cannabis Law and recognized in 2018 by the National Law Journal as one of the country’s “Cannabis Law Trailblazers,” he has been published and quoted in national media outlets such as U.S. News & World Report, The American Lawyer, Politico, Washington Post, and Law360. He is a founding board member of the National Cannabis Bar Association and is also an active member of the National Cannabis Industry Association.

Jeremy Green is the General Counsel both at Green Point Research and the Hemp Industries Association of Florida. Jeremy graduated from both Florida State University and Florida State University College of Law with Honors and received FSU's Business Law Certificate. Jeremy has extensive experience negotiating and structuring complex business transactions, providing strategic legal advice to Senior Management, and developing solutions to complex legal issues. Before entering the hemp space, Jeremy spent time in the courtroom passionately defending corporate clients in commercial, aviation, and medical malpractice litigation. Jeremy specializes in identifying proactive solutions that will mitigate or eliminate risk.

Tyler leverages his extensive experience in building brands, managing key relationships, and strategic partnerships. Tyler has been at the forefront of Hypur’s expansion efforts for over five years and touches financial institutions, government officials, regulatory bodies, and the state-legal cannabis industry. As a result, he possesses an intricate knowledge of the banking and regulatory climate, key industry influencers, industry dynamics, and market history. He has also become a key contact for media outlets, analytics companies, industry consultants, and investment firms searching for reliable, accurate sources of industry information. Tyler’s contacts and relationships in the US state-legal cannabis industry are unparalleled. As a result of his influential value, he was selected to be Chairman of the National Cannabis Industry Association Banking and Financial Services Committee. He is also a member of the Forbes Business Development Council, frequently publishing articles about the banking and payment environment in the cannabis industry. Tyler founded and managed a large beverage company prior to joining the Hypur team and was a professional athlete in the New York Mets Organization.