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Candidates for the 2020 Board

Matthew Friedlander

Skagit Organics

What do you know about our organization? What makes our mission meaningful to you? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

Our company has been a member for three years and I have attended many of the monthly meetings and events during that time. I have also participated as an adjunct board member for the last year after running for a board seat the last term. I think this group is unique for their ability to view the industry as a whole while working together to find solutions that benefit many sectors of the cannabis industry.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?

The ability to work on solutions that benefit a broad section of the industry over that particular board member’s personal or direct business needs.

Do you have prior board leadership experience? If so, what and when?

I have been an adjunct board member for the last year with The Cannabis Alliance.

What specific skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

I have owned and operated a cannabis processing company in Washington State for almost five years and participated in the medical market for a few years prior to that. My focus is on providing medical quality products for the current market here in Washington and I feel that I have a good view of what is needed for that segment of the cannabis users that feel left out as the market turned from medical to recreational. I also have the ability to view problems in a long term and broad manner.  

Fundraising is a significant obligation of board service. Are you comfortable asking for money to help fund the mission of the organization?

Absolutely.

Do you have any worries or concerns about joining the board?

Time is always a concern but as our business becomes more self-sufficient I am able to focus more on things outside the day to day operation of my company.

Do you have personal aspirations that could be enhanced by board service?

I have considered running for political office on a local level and this experience would be invaluable.

What is your motivation for being involved in the cannabis industry?

I have enjoyed cannabis for most of my life and believe that this plant helps improve people’s lives and will save this planet.

What professional or personal constraints on your time or service might you anticipate? What kind of autonomy do you have over your calendar?

I have a business to run but I have the full support of my two business partners to dedicate as much time as needed to this group.

Ammon Ford

Gleam Law

What do you know about our organization? What makes our mission meaningful to you? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

I have been a proud member of the Cannabis Alliance since it was founded in 2016 and a Washington cannabis industry member since 2013. What sets TCA apart from other organizations is that TCA is a true grass-roots organization with a laser focus on the issues impacting licensees and stakeholders.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?

Forward-thinking team players focused on common goals and institutional strength.

Do you have prior board leadership experience? If so, what and when?

Secretary, WSBA Cannabis Bar Section (2018-2020); Founder and President, Cannabis Law Society at Seattle University (2013-2016); various positions, Phi Alpha Law Fraternity (2014-2016)

What specific skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

I am an attorney licensed in Washington State and primarily represent cannabis (or ancillary) businesses throughout the Western United States. I have contacts among cannabis attorneys and other professionals in Washington and nationally.

Fundraising is a significant obligation of board service. Are you comfortable asking for money to help fund the mission of the organization?

yes.

Do you have any worries or concerns about joining the board?

no.

Do you have personal aspirations that could be enhanced by board service?

Potential for client development and heightened public profile, but that isn’t why I am interested in joining the board.

What is your motivation for being involved in the cannabis industry?

To study and help shape a more equitable future cannabis industry as the nation transitions away from the intentionally oppressive War on Drugs. We are winning, but we’ve got a long way to go.

What professional or personal constraints on your time or service might you anticipate? What kind of autonomy do you have over your calendar?

I manage my own calendar with autonomy.

Jason Lammers

SnoCo Packaging

What do you know about our organization? What makes our mission meaningful to you? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

I’ve been a member for 4 years and have served on both the board and multiple committees. At that time I’ve gotten to know all the board & many of the members. The Cannabis Alliance is aligned with my belief that a successful industry is not only profitable but sustainable and inclusive as well.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?

Hard working & having an open mind to all perspectives on issues.

Do you have prior board leadership experience? If so, what and when?

Yes, I’ve served as both an adjunct board member and a board member. I’ve also sat on a couple of committees including chairing the packaging waste committee where we passed some important rule changes making a significant reduction in our plastic waste.

What specific skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

I have built a strong network in the sustainability space to ensure we can continue pushing forward on a variety of sustainable initiatives. I’ve developed relationships in Olympia with both legislators and the LCB working on a variety of cannabis topics. I’ll continue to fight for a more sustainable and profitable industry.

Fundraising is a significant obligation of board service. Are you comfortable asking for money to help fund the mission of the organization?

Yes, I’ve already brought in some significant non-dues revenue as well as recruit new members for the alliance.

Do you have any worries or concerns about joining the board?

No, I know the board and organization well.

Do you have personal aspirations that could be enhanced by board service?

No.

What is your motivation for being involved in the cannabis industry?

 I care about both the plant and the industry. The cannabis industry has created an opportunity to educate and normalize society around the plant and the legal industry presents a chance to forge a new way of doing business that’s sustainable, inclusive, and profitable.

What professional or personal constraints on your time or service might you anticipate? What kind of autonomy do you have over your calendar?

My schedule is flexible and I am committed to dedicating whatever time is needed to accomplishing our goals.

Trey Reckling

Academy of Cannabis Science

What do you know about our organization? What makes our mission meaningful to you? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

I have been fortunate enough to be part of the Cannabis Alliance since its founding. Since then, I have volunteered my time with the Alliance at meetings, annual Summit events, as a committee chair and helped to foster the new relationship with Seattle Central College. The Alliance is my family and my advocate and my source of vast hive intelligence. The people in this group have stood by me and many others as we have created and grown cannabis businesses throughout the state. They have shown up in good and rough times, continued to work, continued to smile, and to fight for us as a growing industry. That is why I am willing to commit my time to this organization.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?

To me a good board member is one who remembers they represent the interest of many members regardless of their own personal perspective. I expect a board member to be engaged with the membership, to get a real sense of what is important for them and the success of their business and to then act on that within their ability and influence. A good board member must be flexible, have a good understanding of the ongoing challenges of doing business in this space and of the laws and regulations that both guide and inhibit it. Finally, I think a good board member needs to be a fearless advocate and a person willing to speak truth to power, internal and external. We must make sure that the Alliance is always driven by the voice of its broad membership and the health and safety of the public that support it.

Do you have prior board leadership experience? If so, what and when?

I was formerly a board member with the Washington Marijuana Association in 2015 when our organization became part of the merging of several like-minded organizations to become the Cannabis Alliance.

What specific skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

I am the founder and director of the Academy of Cannabis Science and specialize in training and preparing people for cannabis jobs. Over the past 5 years, we have made connections with amazing people throughout the country. We always encourage our students to become involved in professional organizations and highlight the Alliance. I am happy to say that we have brought a number of passionate new people in to be part of this professional family.     I am also a conflict resolution specialist and have professionally served in the position of ombuds for several years before becoming part of the cannabis industry. These skills coupled with teaching skills are always handy to have available in a field like ours. As we know, some people have made prejudgments about cannabis and its potential for harm to individuals and the community. I believe these people can be won over with listening, compassion and education.

Fundraising is a significant obligation of board service. Are you comfortable asking for money to help fund the mission of the organization?

Sure. Not many people like to ask for money but when it is for a good reason, like the “advancement of a vital, ethical, and sustainable cannabis industry,” it is well worth the ask.

Do you have any worries or concerns about joining the board?

I wouldn’t say that I have any worries. Given the opportunity, I would be concerned with doing the best job that I can for a group I so strongly believe in.

Do you have personal aspirations that could be enhanced by board service?

I am not seeking to work on the board to advance my own agenda nor do I have political aspirations. I do believe that the Alliance can have a stronger voice when it comes to social equity considerations for the state as well as patients’ rights and accommodations. The Alliance has earned a great reputation within our state, with our lawmakers and our regulators. We must always seek to not simply advance pro-business positions but always consider who is being included, who is being left behind, and what we can do to consider fairness and product safety.

What is your motivation for being involved in the cannabis industry?

I am a medical cannabis patient first and foremost. I have seen the tremendous benefit it has been for me. It has helped me to be more healthy and allowed me to no longer use pharmaceutical medicines that were a daily occurrence for me. For that reason, I am a cannabis evangelist. Like so many of you, it is a thrill for me to help people to realize that a safer alternative exists for many conditions.

What professional or personal constraints on your time or service might you anticipate? What kind of autonomy do you have over your calendar?

I have a great deal of autonomy of my calendar. That is what has allowed me to be so involved in the Alliance to this point.

Ryan Sevigny

Landrace Brands

What do you know about our organization? What makes our mission meaningful to you? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

I know the Cannabis Alliance is full of passionate, caring, driven people dedicated to the advancement of a vital, ethical, and sustainable cannabis industry. I know that when I started out in this business, I found a group where ideas, collaboration and strong ethics merged with positive people striving to do better for all of us. I know that our executive board works diligently to advocate on our behalf, and I know that I want to be apart of the positive changes coming to this industry.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?

Dedication & Positivity: For a board to function effectively & efficiently, the members must be present and engaged with the belief that we can bring positive change.

Do you have prior board leadership experience? If so, what and when?

rrently serving as an Adjunct Board Member.

What specific skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

As a T2 owner and the president of Landrace Brands; I would like to think that I have the ability to think broadly, enlist and engage others in a common pursuit and execute on those ideas and/or programs. I’m also willing to call on my extensive winery industry knowledge and network to bring more resources into the group.

Fundraising is a significant obligation of board service. Are you comfortable asking for money to help fund the mission of the organization?

I have no issue asking for resources so that we can future our mission.

Do you have any worries or concerns about joining the board?

At this point I firmly understand what is expect and consequently have no concerns or worries.

Do you have personal aspirations that could be enhanced by board service?

I have no intention to enhance personal aspirations through this position. I’m committed to a better industry for all, the rising tide floats all boats.

What is your motivation for being involved in the cannabis industry?

As a cannabis small business owner, I want to see the WA cannabis industry to stay owned by small businesses.

What professional or personal constraints on your time or service might you anticipate? What kind of autonomy do you have over your calendar?

I have control over my schedule and don’t foresee any major issues.