Appointments

Red White & Bloom Brands Inc., a multi-state cannabis operator and house of premium brands, has appointed Christopher Ecken as its Chief Financial Officer, effective October 2021. Most recently he held the title of Senior Vice President, Director Global Analytics, after successful execution of the roles of SVP Director Global Financial Planning & Analytics/Commercial Finance; VP Director Global Business and Strategic Analytics; and VP Finance Director – North America; VP Finance Director Latin America; as well as other positions. N2 Packaging Systems has appointed Thom Brodeur as its new Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Brodeur will lead N2’s strategy, product innovation and corporate development efforts focused on driving growth in existing markets and new markets as well as long-term value creation. Concurrently serving as CEO of the emerging CBD brand Sky Wellness, Brodeur will utilize his CPG experience to implement an aggressive commercialization and licensing strategy of N2’s proprietary containers and Nitro Inside packaging solution.

Joseph Mele is appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Entourage Corp. Most recently, the Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Entourage, Joseph oversees all revenue-generating commercial roles and activities. Under his leadership, Entourage increased adult-use and medical sales by more than 150%, and his team is credited with expanding its brand’s market share points by more than 75% during the past year. Joseph also leads the business development team. James Afara is appointed Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing at Entourage Corp. Former Chief Operating Officer of CannTx, James has extensive experience in supply chain, business analytics and operations management. A professional engineer by trade, he brings strong industry metrics analysis and supplier relationships that will be integral to Entourage’s ability to scale.

Pat Scanlon, co-founder of CannTx is appointed Head of Cultivation across all Company sites for Entourage Corp. Pat has more than 15 years of experience in floriculture, commercial greenhouse operations and specializes in craftgrade cultivation, production and phenotyping. As Entourage looks to expand its craft cannabis operations and product development, Pat will oversee the Company’s genetics activities and introduce new cultivars and craft practices. Vantage Hemp Co. has appointed Ty Simpson as the new Director of Operations at the company. With more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, Simpson specializes in pharmaceuticals, lean manufacturing, cGMP/FDA practices, and managing high-performing teams. With a mandate to further expand the company’s impact within the pharmaceutical industry, Simpson shares Vantage Hemp’s vision of providing clients long-term success and premium quality CBD products.

Canadian artist-focused and social-forward cannabis brand LOOP/POOL, announced that Kevin Lam has joined the company as Chief Commercial Officer. Kevin is a veteran of the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in Canada and has held Merchandising positions at top companies including Wal-Mart, Loblaws, and 7-Eleven. Most recently, he led both the strategic growth of the merchandising team and function at the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) since pre-legalization as the Senior Director of Merchandising. Kevin holds a Bachelors of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. Christine Berry has joined Purity-IQ as its news Business Solution Manager, responsible for helping supply chain organizations and retail brand owners increase access to new markets. With a nursing degree from the Alberta College Registered Nursing Degree Program BScN, Christine has a long-standing, successful and respected background with international business development in the health and pharmaceutical industries. Over the past several years, she has been immersed in expanding the clinical and medical cannabis industry, through the development, introduction, and marketing of new retail products, for Canada’s leading licenced producers.