Leadership - Santa Fe Farms

Leadership

Every one of our companies has a hand-picked team of dedicated, talented, innovative and creative experts striving for excellence in their respective areas. This team includes agricultural specialists; leaders in global supply chain management; experts in processing and extraction; marketing, branding and sales wizards, and tech and platform-building gurus. All business operations are overseen by Steven Gluckstern, Ed.D., MBA, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Santa Fe Farms, who has over 30 years business experience ranging from founding start-ups to managing multibillion-dollar corporations. He has previously served as CEO and as Chairman and Board Member of both public (NYSE) and numerous private companies and non-profit organizations. Under his direction, each sector of Santa Fe Farms is synergistically connected creating an unparalleled enterprise in the Hemp Industry.

Jeff Apodaca
EVP & Chief Business Development Officer

Beth Brandstatter
VP Investor Relations

Hunter Buffington
VP Animal Proteins & Policy

Deanna Byck
EVP & Chief Brand Officer

Gary Chavez
Chief Scientist

Isaac Cohen
EVP Cultivation & Proteins

Stuart Cowan
EVP & Chief Scientist

Brando Crespi
SVP Climate & Carbon

Cole Daeschel
Agriculture

Barry Dungan
CEO Rio Grande Analytics

Roger Fragua
Senior Advisor Indigenous Affairs

Steven Gluckstern
Executive Chairman Santa Fe Farms
Chairman Board of Managers

Kimberly Kovacs
Chief Executive Officer
Member Board of Managers

Ben Leonard
SVP General Counsel

Rick Schawelson
President & Chief Operating Officer

Bodhi Urban
VP Growth R&D

Mike Lauder
SVP Global Commercial Compliance & Operations

Center Pivot Group

Paul Fonticilla

Maria Hoerig

Norman Hull

Sergio Nieto
Member, Board of Managers

Adrian Zelski
Member, Board of Managers

Advisors

Ben Barnes
Advisor

Rick Keating
Chief Strategy Officer

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JEFF APODACA
President, Products Division
Member Board of Directors

Jeff has over 34 years business experience ranging from business development to starting up and building multibillion- dollar divisions for Univision Corporate, AOL, and the CBS Television Network both in New York and Los Angeles. In 2010, he returned to New Mexico to run Univision’s stations and digital property in the Mountain States. In 2018, he founded HDH LLC/FathomNM LLC developing harvesting and off-loading platforms within the hemp industry for New Mexico and Colorado Farmers. HDH/Fathom was purchased by Santa Fe Farms in 2020.

Bethany Brandstatter
VP Investor Relations

Bethany has 20 years of business development, brand strategy, and digital marketing expertise. Previously, she was co-founder and CxO of a SaaS enterprise level marketing technology platform. She completed two successful eCommerce business exits in the natural beauty, and health and nutrition spaces in 2019. She believes that to create change and impact in the world, you must positively perpetuate life through conscious business.

Hunter Buffington
VP Policy and Advocacy

Hunter Buffington will work in Policy and Advocacy across multiple divisions of Santa Fe Farms. Hunter was the Executive Director of the Hemp Feed Coalition, whose mission is to increase agricultural markets by shepherding hemp products through Federal approval with the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine. As the Coalition Director, Hunter led the submission of the first hemp animal feed application to AAFCO and FDA- Center for Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She has utilized her experience working with regulators, policymakers, nonprofits, and businesses to implement strategies for sustainable development that include economic, environmental, and social benefits. Prior to the Hemp Feed Coalition, Hunter worked as a public policy consultant as well as with other Colorado based non-profit organizations. Hunter has a Master of Science Degree from Regis University.

Deanna Byck
Chief Global Engagement Officer
Member Board of Managers

Deanna oversees all outward facing activities of Santa Fe Farms including branding, communications, policy, and not-for-profit activities. She has 30 years’ experience both nationally and internationally in health policy, communication strategies, storytelling and filmmaking. She has worked for organizations such as ABC and PBS Television, The American Council on Science and Health, USAID’s Center for Health Information, TimeLife Medical and was the Chair of the Board of One Heart Worldwide. Deanna’s expertise is taking complex and disparate issues and making them accessible to large audiences. Deanna holds a Doctorate in Health Policy from Harvard University and a Master in Public Health Degree from UCLA.

GARY CHAVEZ
VP of Science
Advanced Carbons

Regenerative agriculture, innovation and compliance at Santa Fe Farms are the responsibility of Gary Chavez, who brings academic experience in chemical engineering and clinical bio-science research at New Mexico State University. Gary became a master grower cultivating and ranching with his grandfather in Stanley, NM. Gary’s agronomy studies were uniquely specialized with regards to agricultural applications of microalgae. Gary’s experience with cannabis includes commercial cultivation.

Isaac Cohen
President Cultivation Division
Member Board of Managers

Isaac is responsible for Santa Fe Farms Cultivation Division’s day to day execution of its business, working very closely with the genetics, production, compliance and R&D departments. Isaac came to Santa Fe Farms through High Grade Hemp Seed where he was COO. Prior to that, he was the Product Manager for MTech Systems, a software company, developing software for the Animal Agriculture (Protein) industry, with clients such as Cargill’s Protein Division, Perdue Farms, and Pilgrim’s Pride. With MTech Systems managing all accounting and production tracking for these vertically integrated agriculture operations, Isaac spent over a decade working with the entire food supply chain and all departments within these companies, from accounting to operations.

STUART COWAN
Chief Science Officer
President Advanced Carbons

Stuart brings 25 years of experience in regenerative design, finance, and systems and is a skilled design thinker, researcher, transformations architect, and leader of transdisciplinary initiatives. Stuart is Co-Founder of Autopoiesis, LLC which applies complex living systems models and frameworks to regenerate communities, ecosystems, and organizations. He served as a Transaction Manager and founding team member with Portland Family of Funds, an innovative sustainable community investment fund that has closed $3 billion in transactions. While at Ecotrust, he led the development of the Reliable Prosperity framework for a regenerative bioregion, which provides a fractal integration of patterns of natural, social, and economic capital. He is the co-author with Sim Van der Ryn of Ecological Design (Island Press, 1996/2007). He received his doctorate in Applied Mathematics from U.C. Berkeley.

BRANDO CRESPI
Chief Regenerative Officer

Brando is an environmentalist, climate activist, impact investor and futurist. After an illustrious career in the luxury fashion business – essentially launching Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with brands such as Fendi, Versace, and Pratesi amongst others – Brando focused his attention on the world’s climate issues by co-founding Pro Natura International. As its Executive Vice Chair, Brando designed, funded and implemented sustainable development projects in 63 countries and the organization was the recipient of the US Academy of Sciences’ “Mitchell Prize” (the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Sustainability) for his work in the Amazon. Currently, Brando continues to work on technological innovations and sustainability especially in areas related to climate smart agroecology, bio-char and digital innovation.

COLE DAESCHEL
VP of Agriculture
Cultivation Division

Leading growth and production at Santa Fe Farms is Cole Daeschel, a New Mexico native who from the age of 4 was taught by his master grower father and former Santa Fe Farmers Market president how to produce award-winning greenhouse products at Cedar Grove Nursery. Cole brings years of experience cultivating annuals, perennials, herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables in addition to hemp and cannabis high in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Cole is a U.S. Army veteran.

BARRY DUNGAN
President, Laboratory and Analytics Division

Barry is an analytical chemist and horticulturist born and raised in New Mexico. Prior to founding Rio Grande Analytics, he ran a chemical analysis lab for New Mexico State University for years. He holds MS and BS degrees in Horticulture and minors in Chemistry and Applied Statistics. Prior to running the Biochemistry, Energy, Environment and Hydrology Lab at NM State University, Barry was a part of the National Alliance to Advance Biofuels and Bioproducts consortium screening algae for potential biofuels and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

ROGER FRAGUA
SVP Indigenous Affairs

Roger has dedicated his professional career to the advancement and development of American Indian communities and has more than 30 years of formal and professional experience in developing energy, natural resources and economies of Tribal communities in both Canada and the United States. Roger is currently the President of Cota Holdings, LLC, and Executive Director of Flower Hill Institute, whose mission is to support Tribal community and economic development in the energy, natural resources, water and economic development sectors. Cota Holdings is currently engaged with several Tribal development projects as well as supporting energy companies’ efforts within Indian Country. Roger served the Tribes as the Deputy Director of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), based in Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining CERT, Roger worked as a manager for Enron Corporation in Houston, Texas where he was instrumental in creating innovative business concepts and promoting partnerships between Tribes and Enron. Roger has also worked with the Western Governors’ Association and the National Tribal Environmental Council on State and Tribal relations as it relates to environmental issues. Roger is deeply committed to the advancement of Tribal sovereignty to preserve Tribal cultures, protecting Tribal environments and developing Tribal economies.

Steven Gluckstern
CEO Santa Fe Farms
Chairman Board of Managers

Santa Fe Farms is led by Steven Gluckstern, EdD, MBA, Founder, Chairman and CEO. With over 35 years of business experience ranging from founding start-ups to managing multibillion dollar corporations, Steven has previously served as CEO, Chairman and Board Member of public (NYSE/AMEX/NASDAQ) and private companies as well as numerous, non-profit and governmental organizations. Steven holds an MBA from Stanford University (where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar) as well as multiple degrees from each of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts (including Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from both institutions).

KIMBERLY KOVACS
Chief Strategy Officer
Member Board of Managers

Kim Kovacs is the Chief Strategy Officer at Santa Fe Farms. Prior to joining Santa Fe Farms, she was the Chairman and CEO of The Arcview Group, a financial services company offering a range of equity funding from early stage to M&A, pre-IPO and consulting across the cannabis and hemp industries. Kim is also Managing Director of Arroyo Ventures, a strategic advisory and investment firm that provides a place for high net-worth female investors and exceptional entrepreneurs to connect and to empower women to invest and seek investment. Prior to Arcview, Kim was the CEO and Founder of MyJane, a wellness technology platform that curates cannabis products for women’s wellness. Kim has had a long career as an entrepreneur, investor, and mentor – having founded 6 companies, raising more than $120M in equity capital for these ventures and negotiating several hundred million dollar exits. Kim currently sits on the board of the OCTANe Group, a leading technology and life science accelerator and capital provider for Southern California.

BEN LEONARD
SVP and General Counsel

As General Counsel to Santa Fe Farms, Ben oversees and manages all legal aspects of the company and its operations. Ben previously served as a senior associate attorney at the nation’s leading hemp and marijuana boutique law firm, Vicente Sedererg, LLP, where he specialized in corporate and securities law. He regularly counseled clients on corporate and transactional matters, including formations and financings, IP licensing arrangements, general commercial transactions, real estate matters and mergers and acquisitions. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles.

RICK SCHAWELSON
COO Santa Fe Farms
Member Board of Managers

Rick has over 34 years of business experience sourcing and manufacturing in Asia with extensive experience in China. In 1987, Rick co-founded one of the of the first foreign wholly owned factories in China. His experience includes working with HSBC Global Asset Management team to launch one of the most successful China funds, working as an advisor to Global Sources, advising key customers on purchasing, supply chain and sourcing strategies and working with Amber Kinetics, a clean energy storage company. He spends his time between his home in Hong Kong and the USA. Rick is a graduate of North Carolina State University.

Bodhi Urban
VP and Director of Research and Development, Genetics Division

As a leader of the industry, Bodhi and his team developed foundational strains like Cherry Wine and Berry Blossom which are the basis of quality hemp genetics today. Through the expertise and partnership with universities like (CSU) Seed Laboratory and other lab partners, he is pushing innovation while delivering consistent and pure hemp seed genetics to farmers. He is passionate about working with farmers across the country so they can continue doing what they love – planting, growing and harvesting sustainable crops that provide value to consumers and making a decent living to provide for their families.

Mike Lauder

Mike works closely with Santa Fe Farms where he directs sales and distribution operations domestically and internationally and for instituting structure, recruiting and coordination with a network of internal and external sales reps scattered throughout the U.S. – specifically for Santa Fe Farm’s Cultivation Division. He was formerly CEO of High Grade Hemp Seed where he provided Corporate Strategy/ Structure/Execution expertise as well as support to in-house counsel on Legal matters. His background includes 25+ years in corporate development, managing mergers and acquisitions, and investment strategy. He has previously led, executed, participated in M&A, PE/VC transactions with cumulative valuation in excess of $500M for Jabil, a public, Fortune 100, diversified global manufacturing company. He went to the University of Tampa Sykes College of Business where he received a B.A. in Business Finance.

Paul Fonticilla

Paul is a Software Engineer and Business Development professional with over 20 years of international industry experience. Paul is Managing Partner and Co-founder of Innovative Intelligence KAN APA Farms where he has focused on Retail Development of Kan Apa Brand for emerging Hemp markets. Paul’s work with Seed to Shelf virtual integration continues to provide invaluable rnational industry experience. Paul is Managing Partner and Co-founder of Innovative Intelligence KAN APA Farms where he has focused on Retail Development of Kan Apa Brand for emerging Hemp markets. Paul’s work with Seed to Shelf virtual integration continues to provide invaluable assistance to a developing hemp industry.

Maria Hoerig

Maria is a global cannabis industry founder and executive who brings 10 years of experience to the Center Pivot Group team. Maria previously served on the management team for Blue Circle Development, investors in companies such as Evo Hemp and Sunrise Genetics. Maria’s background in anthropology, sustainability and agro-forestry in the Peruvian Amazon unite to help drive her passion for increasing global regenerative agriculture practices. Maria completed her undergraduate studies at Eckerd College where she earned degrees in Anthropology and Spanish. She then attained her Master’s Degree in Sustainable Land Use and Global Sustainability from the University of South Florida and now serves as a COO and Principal at Center Pivot Group.

Norman Hull

Norman is the Director of the Farm Partner Program. For the past 12 years prior to that, Norman has successfully designed, built, operated and managed industrial indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse cultivation sites. As an entrepreneur Norman has started a number of businesses including Solis CBD Farms, Abundance by Design (a permaculture inspired earth works company), Norman Hull’s Land Services, Wine Country Patients Collective. Norman is also the owner of several rental properties in the Sierra Foothills.

Sergio Nieto
Member, Board of Managers

Sergio is a serial entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in enterprise sales, business strategy and marketing. He founded The Circle LLC, a Sports and Entertainment Management Company, while earning his M.S in Sports Business Management at Manhattanville College. Sergio was an Advisor at Heli, a tech-based adventure travel company and an Advisor at Bats-Toi, a tech-based sports equipment company where he helped developed their go-to-market strategy. Sergio founded Solis Farms and eventually went on to found RAHS Logistics LLC, an International Hemp logistics and Distribution Company.

Adrian Zelski
Member, Board of Managers

Adrian is a serial entrepreneur with five years of experience in the hemp industry. He was a principal owner and Chief Business Development Officer at High Grade Hemp Seed and the Founder and President of Center Pivot Group, a matchmaking company that connects HGH’s partners to the Cannabinoid Supply Chain. Adrian was also a founding member of iHempX and played a key role in strategy, investments, and innovation for the International Hemp Exchange. Previously, Adrian co-founded and served as business development manager for Seed2System, an organic vapor distilled CBD hemp company. Passionate about creating consistency and stability in the hemp industry, Adrian is also an accomplished songwriter, guitar player and music producer who graduated from the University of Georgia.

Ben Barnes

A protégé of President Lyndon Johnson, Ben Barnes won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives at the age of 22. Three years later, Barnes was elected Texas Speaker of the House. At 26, he was the youngest Speaker of the House in state history. Five years later, Barnes was elected lieutenant governor, again the youngest ever, garnering the most votes of any statewide candidate in Texas history. Using the same energy that drove his political career, Barnes left government and built a multi-million-dollar real estate empire. He now focuses on public policy, business development, business startup investing, and philanthropy. Barnes, a lifelong Democrat, remains a major player in national politics. In 1995, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas, an honor bestowed on such luminaries as Lady Bird Johnson and Walter Cronkite. In 2010, The Houston Chronicle named him one of the ten most influential Texans in Washington. Today, Ben Barnes headlines a successful public policy firm with offices in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas. The Ben Barnes Group has a global presence and represents numerous Fortune 500 firms, trade associations and business groups.

Rick Keating

rick keating (aka “lowercase”) is Chief Executive Officer at keating co. and originator of the firm’s think. say. hear.® philosophy. Described by clients as a master message maker and storyteller, Rick’s skills are unique, and he is currently writing a book titled after the comma® – its emphasis is on how to control the defining words that follow the comma. Rick is also a senior advisor at Mckinsey. Rick has been counseling individuals, companies and organizations with transformational ideas in the areas of sustainability, new economy, social justice, economic/financial reform, lifestyle and business for over 30 years, serving the Saudi Royal Family, Paul Tudor Jones, George Soros, The Institute for New Economic Thinking, Bill Porter, Bob Stiller, the Getty Family, the Coors Family, Zoe Cruz, Bertelsmann, Vivendi, New York Board of Trade, Clearing Corporation, International Securities Exchange, France, Israel, Australia, the conference board, the county of Santa Clara, Vanke, the Sandoz Foundation, Nikon, Cylance, Emirates, Alain Ducasse, and many others. Rick is the founder of pilkrōs®, an ideation and venture collective, and the originator of before the comma® – an approach used to create a new business. Rick graduated from Villanova University and completed the MIT Harvard Public Disputes and Mediation Program.