Alex Abrams is the Director of Strategic Sales at Rank Really High and a former cannabis operator with firsthand experience running retail operations. Before joining Rank, Alex was a co-founder of The Heirloom Collective in Massachusetts, where he saw the limitations of traditional cannabis e-commerce platforms firsthand. Today, he helps dispensaries rethink how they approach digital strategy, from marketing calendars to customer data visibility. Alex brings a rare operator-to-technology perspective, helping brands bridge the gap between what they sell and how customers actually find and buy those products online. 

 Betsy Morem, CPA, helps cannabis operators build finance systems that are clear, compliant, and easy to run. As Co-Founder of Morem & Waller, she focuses on tying Metrc activity to the books, setting simple month-end routines, and choosing a reliable source of truth for inventory. Betsy works with teams to design lightweight internal controls, improve data hygiene, and prepare clean documentation that stands up to audits. Her approach is practical and operator friendly. She translates accounting into checklists, roles, and rhythms that reduce errors, shorten close times, and support better decisions. From launch through growth, Betsy gives teams the confidence to stay accurate and move fast. 

Brad Obermueller is a Grow Rebate Specialist at Center for Energy and Environment, where he works directly with cannabis operators across Minnesota to help them navigate energy efficiency programs and unlock available rebate opportunities.

Focused on supporting microbusinesses within Xcel Energy territory, Brad plays a key role in helping operators make informed decisions around lighting, facility setup, and long-term energy strategy. His work centers on simplifying what can often feel like a complex process, guiding cultivators from early planning stages through project completion.

As Minnesota’s cannabis market continues to develop, Brad has become a trusted resource for operators looking to reduce costs, avoid delays, and build more efficient cultivation environments from the ground up.

 Brytany Melville serves as President of Forte, where she partners with cannabis operators to turn complex requirements into straightforward daily practice. She specializes in frontline training, audit-ready inventory management, and building the tools and logs teams need for a reliable plan of record. Brytany’s approach blends operator empathy with measurable controls, helping stores and grows reduce errors, improve purchasing decisions, and stay compliant without slowing down. From staff planning and “train the trainer” programs to simple reporting rhythms, she focuses on habits that hold up when things get busy. 

Carol Moss leads the Cannabis Industry Practice Group at Hellmuth & Johnson. She served on the advisory board of the coalition that helped pass Minnesota’s landmark cannabis legalization legislation in 2023 and currently serves on Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management’s Cannabis Advisory Council. A founding member of the Minnesota Cannabis Growers Cooperative and Industry Council, Carol represents cannabis and hemp businesses at every stage—from cultivation to retail—providing strategic legal guidance across the supply chain. An experienced litigator, Carol uses her litigation insight to advocate effectively for her clients and to proactively help them avoid costly disputes. She is also a frequent speaker and educator, regularly leading seminars to train lawyers and other professionals navigating the evolving cannabis industry.

 Cat Seven is a cultivation and operations consultant who helps cannabis teams turn Metrc requirements into simple daily habits. She focuses on clean tracking from clone or seed to harvest, barcode discipline that holds up when things get busy, and SOPs that prevent most errors before they start. Cat partners with growers and manufacturers to design audit-ready workflows, choose practical tools, and train staff on the checkpoints that keep data accurate. Her approach is hands on and operator friendly. The goal is clear records, fewer reworks, and a steady rhythm that supports better purchasing, scheduling, and compliance. 

Chris Hanna leads a team of sales professionals, ensuring they bring the right products, to the right customer, at the right time. Together, Chris and his team solve complex problems and enable their customers to grow their business. 

Dan Mondello is the CEO and founder of Rank Really High, a cannabis-focused digital platform helping dispensaries turn their websites into revenue-generating engines. With a background in SEO and e-commerce, Dan specializes in building native website experiences that improve visibility, increase conversions, and unlock real customer data. His approach challenges traditional cannabis web design by prioritizing performance over aesthetics, ensuring that products, menus, and content are fully indexable and optimized for search. Dan works with operators across the country to help them move beyond outdated systems and build scalable digital infrastructure that drives growth. 

David Loos is a U.S. Veteran, cultivation expert, and the founder of the Frontline Bud Foundation. With years of experience in Minnesota’s medical cannabis industry—spanning post-harvest production to advanced vegetation cycles—David has mastered the intricacies of the plant from seed to shelf. Driven by the purpose cannabis brought to his own post-service life, he now dedicated his career to empowering fellow veterans through home-grow education and industry job placement. As a consultant and community leader, David combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for service, helping stakeholders and veterans alike find their place in the "green" future. 

Ed Wells is the Vice President of Sales at Cannatrol, where he works closely with cultivators across the country to improve consistency, quality, and efficiency in the drying and curing process.

With a background that spans both emerging and mature cannabis markets, Ed brings a practical, operator-focused perspective to post-harvest. His work centers on helping growers understand how small improvements after harvest can lead to meaningful gains in yield, product quality, and long-term brand consistency.

Ed has spent significant time working with operators in new markets like Minnesota, supporting both home growers and commercial facilities as they build out their processes. Through Cannatrol, he continues to advocate for a more controlled, repeatable approach to drying and curing as the industry evolves.

Elizabeth Sage is a Certified Ganjier and founding member of the Ganjier Guild, working to advance the art, language, and culture of cannabis appreciation—root to suit.

Through Sage Advice, she brings people together. She supports entrepreneurs, trains retail teams, leads community education, and serves as a judge for cannabis competitions. Elizabeth is known for seeing the whole picture, asking the right questions at the right time, and helping people feel more confident, capable, and connected in a complex, evolving industry.

Based in Minnesota, she’s also a wife, mother of three, outdoor lover, and proud builder of a flexible, values-driven life—one rooted in curiosity, care, and community.

 Jim McErlean is a leader at Cannasure, one of the longest-standing cannabis-focused insurance providers in the United States. Since becoming a risk-bearing provider in 2017, Cannasure has helped shape how insurance works in the cannabis industry. Jim specializes in policy development, underwriting strategy, and helping agents and operators understand the nuances of cannabis risk. With deep insight into claims data, compliance requirements, and emerging trends, he brings a national perspective to a rapidly evolving industry. 

 Luis Vallestros is the Director of Retail ID at Metrc, where he helps cannabis retailers build reliable, audit-ready operations. He focuses on the practical side of compliance, from clean data habits and barcode discipline to reporting cadences that small teams can maintain. Luis works directly with operators to translate Metrc requirements into simple steps that improve inventory accuracy, reduce penalties, and support better purchasing decisions. His approach is hands-on and results-driven, giving teams the confidence to move fast while staying compliant. 

Mackenzie Ziegler is a cannabis industry veteran with over a decade of experience helping brands navigate complex and highly regulated markets. As a leader at Surfside, she works with retailers and operators across the country to connect data, digital advertising, and real customer behavior into measurable growth. Based in Colorado, Mackenzie supports multi-state operators and emerging markets alike, bringing a practical, data-driven approach to cannabis marketing. She’s also a strong believer in community, helping lead initiatives like Surfside’s “Third Thursday” events, which bring industry professionals together to collaborate, connect, and grow. 

 Mark Waller is a CPA and cannabis accounting specialist with SAX Advisory Group, where he helps operators navigate the financial and regulatory complexities of the cannabis industry. As co-founder of Moore & Waller CPAs, Mark built a firm focused on serving cannabis businesses before transitioning into SAX to expand resources and support for clients. His work centers on tax strategy, compliance, and helping operators build strong financial foundations that can scale. Known for his practical approach and deep understanding of the industry, Mark works closely with clients to ensure they’re not just operating, but building sustainable businesses. 

 Nate Geary is a cannabis marketing strategist at Range Marketing, where he helps dispensaries and brands grow through tailored, market-specific strategies. Based in Buffalo, New York, Nate works closely with operators across emerging and competitive markets, helping them navigate everything from local competition to digital visibility. With a strong understanding of how geography, regulation, and consumer behavior intersect, he focuses on building long-term partnerships rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Nate brings a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective to cannabis marketing, shaped by real conversations with operators and real challenges faced in the field. 

Oliver Gutierrez-Garcia is a Client Relationship Manager at Union Bank & Trust, where he works closely with businesses navigating the complexities of cannabis banking.

With a background in branch supervision, compliance, and risk management, Oliver brings a practical understanding of what it takes to operate within highly regulated industries. His experience spans leading teams, supporting day to day banking operations, and helping clients build systems that are both compliant and sustainable.

At Union Bank & Trust, Oliver focuses on creating strong, trust-based relationships with cannabis operators, guiding them through everything from account setup to long-term financial growth. His approach is rooted in clarity, consistency, and making banking feel accessible in an industry where it often isn’t.

Paul Ranisate is an AVP and Treasury Management Officer at Union Bank & Trust, where he partners with businesses to build secure, scalable financial systems in the cannabis industry.

With a focus on treasury management, Paul works directly with operators to help them understand how money moves through their business, from payments and cash flow to long-term financial planning. His role centers on creating clarity in an area that often feels complex, especially for cannabis businesses navigating evolving regulations.

Paul brings a relationship-first approach to banking, combining technical knowledge with a commitment to accessibility and service. Whether it’s helping a business streamline operations or plan for growth, his goal is to make financial systems work for the people behind them.

Rachelle Gordon is the editor of GreenState, a cannabis news and lifestyle media outlet. An award-winning cannabis journalist, Emerald Cup judge, and Budist critic, Rachelle began her weed writing journey in 2015. She has been featured in High Times, CannabisNow, Beard Bros, MG, Skunk, and many other industry publications. Rachelle was the recipient of the Cannabis Journalist of the Year award at the 2025 Emjays and the Community Cultivator trophy at the 2024 Women's Canna Awards. She is also the two-time host of the California Cannabis Awards at the California State Fair. Follow Rachelle on Instagram @rachellethewriter

Ryan Ogorek is a cannabis industry professional with nearly a decade of experience supporting dispensary operators across the country. At Sweed, he works closely with businesses to simplify operations through an all-in-one point of sale platform that connects inventory, compliance, marketing, and customer experience.

Ryan entered the cannabis space in search of more purpose, leaving traditional sales roles to build a career in a rapidly evolving industry. Since then, he’s developed a practical, operator-focused approach, helping teams navigate both emerging and mature markets.

He’s especially passionate about the role technology and AI will play in shaping the future of cannabis retail, and how smarter systems can help dispensaries grow, adapt, and better connect with their customers.

 Scott Moazzen serves as Managing Partner at StashStock, where he helps operators turn compliance requirements into clean, repeatable inventory workflows. His work centers on RFID and barcode best practices, intake and audit routines, and seed to sale visibility that removes guesswork. Scott partners with cultivation and retail teams to choose a tech stack that fits the size of the operation, reduces manual entry, and surfaces accurate data for purchasing and planning. From harvest to packaging to point of sale, he focuses on simple SOPs and practical coaching so teams can stay audit ready while keeping the workday moving. 

 Shawn Worth is a cannabis-focused payroll and HR specialist with Paragon Payroll, where he helps operators build stronger internal systems through Human Capital Management. With a background in client-facing roles and a passion for supporting people, Shawn works closely with cannabis businesses to optimize payroll, onboarding, compliance, and the full employee lifecycle. Known for his practical, relationship-driven approach, he focuses on helping operators move from reactive problem-solving to proactive infrastructure. Based in Minnesota, Shawn is actively engaged in the local cannabis community, showing up at events, building connections, and supporting businesses as they prepare for growth. 

Tony Beman works with the Center for Energy and Environment, supporting cannabis operators across Minnesota as they navigate the complexities of facility design, energy use, and project planning.

Through his work, Tony helps bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and real-world execution, guiding operators through decisions that impact timelines, costs, and long-term efficiency. From lighting and HVAC considerations to site selection and buildout strategy, he brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to a rapidly evolving industry.

As Minnesota’s cannabis market takes shape, Tony has become a valuable resource for operators looking to better understand how infrastructure and energy planning play a role in building successful, sustainable businesses.