GROWTH NETWORK HOLDINGS - Key Persons
As a top performing senior executive in the cannabis industry, Brian is known for delivering innovative solutions that accelerate profitable growth and increase brand value, as well as his ability to recruit and lead world-class sales teams and develop high performing distribution channels.
As the Vice President of Sales for Delta 9, a leading manufacturer of cannabis vaporizers and edibles, Brian built a world class sales organization from scratch. Prior to this role, Brian was responsible for sales and business development for Pacific Toxicology Laboratories, a drug testing laboratory focused on providing drug monitoring and forensic testing services to physicians. In this role, he was instrumental in developing and rolling out the first laboratory test to distinguish between THC and Cannabidiol.
Prior to his experience in cannabis, Brian ran sales organizations for both Fortune 100 companies and startup organizations including Intracorp, a $350 million subsidiary of Cigna and Probusiness which was acquired by ADP.
Brian holds an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley. Brian is an avid tennis player and kitesurfer.
Skilled in all aspects of corporate financial accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, cost cutting measures and strategic planning, Cheryl is a dedicated CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Since 2015 Cheryl has consulted for 23 cannabis companies in areas ranging from IPO preparation, accounting policy development, establishing internal controls, and plant operations. In addition, Cheryl consulted for 50 health and fitness studios, 18 media, entertainment and technology companies, as well as a music festival promotions company.
Prior to consulting, Cheryl served as Senior Manager and Entertainment Industry Segment Leader at Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP in Los Angeles, where she provided CFO-level work for nonprofit, manufacturing and retail entities as well as daily business management for individuals within the entertainment industry. Cheryl also acted as Account Manager at Nigro Karlin Segal and Feldstein LLP, overseeing the daily business management of high-profile members of the entertainment industry including recording artists, athletes and entertainers.
Prior to that, Cheryl was Senior Accountant at LDE Management for eight years and held positions ranging from CFO and Controller to Manager at several accounting and business solutions firms, including Dutch, Franklin & Co. LLP; CB Richard Ellis; Trillium Digital Systems (an Intel Company); and Harris Business Solutions
Cheryl takes a proactive role in mentoring young professionals within the workplace, as well creating different and innovative avenues to establish new business relationships and acting as a thought leader for the organizations she is involved with.
Cheryl holds a bachelor's degree in business accounting from City University of New York, Baruch College.
Job Titles:
- SVP of Distribution and Procurement
With over 18 years of experience in supply chain operations, product development, and corporate strategy, Ed Wang is a results-driven leader with a proven track record of success in various management and executive positions.
Before serving as the Head of Distribution for Growth Network Holdings, Ed Wang was the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations for Irwin Naturals, the country's leading producer of soft-gel herbal formulas. There he managed all operational functions, ranging from new product development to logistics, as well as spearheaded the company's transition into CBD products, helping to launch over 10 CBD lines across diverse delivery platforms.
Prior to Irwin Naturals, Ed Wang served as the Vice President of Strategic Sourcing before becoming the Group Vice President of Global Sourcing for Beachbody LLC, a multilevel health and fitness company with over $1 billion in annual sales. While at Beachbody, Ed launched BEACHBAR, 80 Day Obsession, and 2B Mindset - projects that diversified the company's portfolio, led to a dramatic increase in sales, and strengthened brand loyalty.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Wang held leadership roles in Designer Protein and Roll Global, where he launched POM Coffee and built out Landmark Vineyards after they were acquired by Fiji Water.
Mr. Wang received his MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA and his Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Brand Manager for Loudpack
- VP of Marketing
Heather Rodman is a passionate brand-builder and marketer, with diverse experience in start-ups, as well as established organizations in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
As the Brand Manager for Loudpack, Heather drove innovation, branding, and marketing initiatives for four industry-leading cannabis brands. She led the rebranding of Loudpack's flagship brand, developed the Dime Bag and Loudpack Legacy brands, and drove innovation across the company's portfolio.
Prior to Loudpack, Ms. Rodman drove branding and marketing initiatives for Old Milwaukee Beer, Dog Tag Brewing, and Ole Smoky Moonshine. She created, directed, and managed traditional and digital brand strategy, spearheaded sales programs, and established strategic partnerships with prominent entities including Live Nation, Dierks Bentley, Harley-Davidson, and more.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Rodman was the Marketing Manager at Rockstar Energy Drink, where she oversaw initiatives for Motor Sports, including NASCAR and Motocross, and developed her appreciation for building and nurturing brands through strategic partnerships, grassroots marketing, and sales efforts that engage all aspects of a business.
John Cavan - Chief Legal Officer
Job Titles:
- Corporate Counsel
- Attorney and Member of the California
John Cavan specializes in intellectual property with a focus on entrepreneurial ventures.
Over the last eight years, Mr. Cavan has worked extensively with medical marijuana establishments in California and Nevada, counseling them on an array of legal issues including, but not limited to, compliance, contract drafting, real property leasing, land use, and federal forfeiture litigation.
Through his work, Mr. Cavan has become one of the leading attorneys in the cannabis industry, with regards to navigating new laws and existing regulations in the business landscape.
Before working in cannabis, Mr. Cavan prosecuted over 100 trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, as well as copyright applications through the U.S. Copyright Office; and, has litigated four cases in front of the Trademark and Appeal board, and over twenty-five cases in the state and federal courts of Nevada on issues pertaining to copyright infringement, insurance, rights of privacy and publicity, trademark infringement, employment, contract disputes, corporate, dissolution, forfeiture, and partnership.
Mr. Cavan is an attorney and member of the California and Nevada state bars.
Growth Network Holdings is the vision of John Jezzini, an entrepreneur and leader in the cannabis space. By blending his previous experience in real estate with his expertise in cannabis cultivation, Mr. Jezzini has created a vertically-integrated ecosystem poised for growth.
Since 2009, Mr. Jezzini has been a prominent industrial designer for cultivation and distribution systems in the cannabis industry. Through the development of proprietary cultivation methodologies that allow for propagation of the strongest plants, larger yields, and market-leading profit margins, Mr. Jezzini has solidified himself as an innovator in a highly-competitive, rapidly-evolving market.
Since 2011, Mr. Jezzini has operated cannabis dispensaries across Los Angeles. Through his extensive retail experience, he has identified a substantial hole in the market. Thus, The High Note was born - a dispensary model that welcomes both the connoisseur and curious in a premier environment reminiscent of high-end hospitality. Seeing this need in California and other legal cannabis markets, Mr. Jezzini designed The High Note model to be replicated across the country.
Prior to founding Growth Network Holdings, Mr. Jezzini began his career in real estate as a senior underwriter with Wells Fargo. After Wells Fargo, Mr. Jezzini joined The Mortgage Store Financial as the Director of Business Development, where he managed a national sales team of over 300 employees in the retail and wholesale divisions, both of which were responsible for over $3 billion in funding.
In addition to his real estate experience, Mr. Jezzini co-founded Solomon One in 2009, a real estate development company based in Los Angeles. Solomon One specializes in residential and commercial properties, and in developing commercial properties with a value in excess of $300 million.
Kristoffer Antigua has been a practicing attorney since 2014. In his role as in-house counsel for Optio Solutions, Kris was responsible for litigating cases and managing compliance with consumer and financial laws and regulations. Prior to Optio, Kris was an advocate with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii where he provided legal counsel and advice in the areas of housing, consumer, public benefits, and family law.
Job Titles:
- Beachbody As Director of Manufacturing
- Director of Manufacturing
Neal Brophy is an international and multi-site manufacturing, product and process development expert, focused on food & drug, dietary supplements, and botanical ingredient products.
Neal started his professional career in 1977 at industry giant, Amway. Working first in R&D, he was transferred to the Cosmetic Facility where he developed, launched, and improved manufacturing efficiencies of hundreds household and personal care products.
In 1987, Neal was assigned to Amway's Nutrilite division, where he managed and implemented projects to improve Botanical Ingredient and Nutritional Powder Drink manufacturing assets. In 2001, Neal was promoted to Director of Global Agribusiness, responsible for Nutrilite's organic farms and processing facilities in California, Brazil, Mexico, and Washington State. Managing over 1,000 employees, Neal was responsible for P&L, forecasting, planning, farming, processing, packaging and delivering and led efforts to increase vertical integration through the use of owned and partner farms. Under Neal's leadership, farm utilization quadrupled in 7 years; Nutrilite-exclusive botanical concentrates increased to more than 1 million kg annually; and Agribusiness contract revenue grew by more than $20 Million. Neal also developed and implemented the Nutricert program, which assists Nutrilite partner farms and suppliers to implement sustainable farming practices and organic certification. Nutrilite grew from less than $1 Billion in 2001 to $5 Billion in sales by Neal's retirement in 2010.
After successfully owning and operating a restaurant franchise for three years, Neal joined Beachbody as Director of Manufacturing; qualifying contract manufacturers for Beachbody's Shakeology and other nutritional supplements, representing nearly $1 Billion in sales.
Neal holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA from Grand Valley State University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Retail Operations
As the Director of Retail Operations, Richard Tran brings to Growth Network Holdings over 20 years of direct experience with a proven track record in streamlining operations, driving profits, and building high-performing teams.
Preceding Growth Network Holdings, Richard held leadership roles at Michael Stars, Sephora, and Armani Exchange. At Michael Stars, Richard led retail, e-commerce, and wholesale operations. As the Regional Operations Manager for Sephora, he oversaw 60 locations with more than $300 million in revenue and over 700 employees. He spearheaded organizational and retail initiatives intended to pare costs, increase revenue, and reduce turnover. These included launching system upgrades, such as a POS rollout, streamlined scheduling, and a robust communications workflow; improving efficiencies in remodels, relocations, and new store openings; and, rewriting policies and procedures.
Mr. Tran received his Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems from the University of Houston.
Job Titles:
- CFO
- Executive
- Finance
- General Manager
- CFO for Loudpack Farms
Sean Sand is a finance executive who operates with a general manager mindset, a rare combination that has led to his leadership success in both domestic and global markets. As the CFO for Growth Network Holdings, Sean brings with him extensive experience in the cannabis and finance industry, with a focus in leadership, strategic planning, and execution.
Before serving as the CFO for Loudpack Farms, Mr. Sand was recruited by Barry's Bootcamp to provide fiscal leadership in financial planning and analysis, external reporting, treasury, risk management, legal, business development, IT, and procurement functions.
Prior to Barry's Bootcamp, Mr. Sand held finance leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies that include Pepsi Bottling Group, The Walt Disney Company, and NBC Universal, as well as Arthur Andersen and Metagenics.
Sean received his MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management and BA from the University of Southern California.