WHO WE ARE

President
Founder – Head + Heal

In 2017 Allan Gandelman co-founded New York Hemp Oil and Head & Heal. Passionate about organic agriculture, Allan’s goal is to support the health and livelihoods of the people in his community. As Founder and President of the New York State Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, he has been leading the way on hemp legislation in New York and has long been a champion of small farmers.

Vice President
CEO – Castetter Cannabis Group

Kaelan has been in the New York hemp industry since 2015 as the founder of Sovereign Vines, America’s Only Hemp Infused Wine and Castetter Sustainability Group (CSG), receiving the first issued hemp processor license in 2017. As CEO, he has developed CSG as a leader in helping New York hemp companies, and farmers navigate the complex supply-chain, regulations, and compliance on a state and national level.

Vice President
Co-Founder HR Botanicals

Andrew’s company, HR Botanicals, LLC, obtained one of the earliest licenses to grow and process hemp in New York State. Andrew takes a horticultural approach to growing his crop, hand cultivating all his plants with the goal of maximizing cannabinoid and terpene profiles. His work also crosses into research on the use of cannabis medicines in clinical settings.

Board Member
Co-Founder Eaton Hemp

Daniel Dolgin is the Co-Founder of Eaton Hemp, an organic hemp wellness company specializing in premium hemp seed snacks and CBD products. He is also the Co-Owner of JD Farms, a cutting-edge, sustainable organic farm sitting on over 3,000 acres in Central New York. In March 2016, JD Farms became the first and only private farm in the state to receive an industrial hemp license.

Board Member
CEO – Hudson Hemp

Ben Dobson is an agriculturist, entrepreneur and co-chair of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers for a Green New Deal. Dobson manages Hudson Valley, N.Y.-based Stone House Grain, a producer of certified organic and non-GMO grains. He is also director of Hudson Carbon, a collaborative research institute, where he leads efforts on the carbon storage potential of soil, and aims to provide a model that is profitable while improving soil health and function.

Board Member
Founder – Naturae

Owen Martinetti is a Co-founder of Potency, Level Up Sciences and Naturae. In 2017 Owen left Baruch College to start Naturae. In 2018 Naturae cultivated 30 acres of hemp, constructed a 15,000 sqft greenhouse and built a 10,000 sqft facility. Owen co-founded Level Up Sciences to work with state agencies to import over 2.5 million medical masks and produce 1 million hand sanitizers. More recently Owen Co-founded Potency, an Adult Use Recreational Dispensary opening in Massachusetts.

Board Member
Founder – Gullybean

Damian Fagon is a 3rd-generation farmer with a background in international development and agriculture. He has led development initiatives with castor farmers in Jamaica, rice growers in Sierra Leone and coffee exporters in Guatemala. Since 2017, he has launched and advised commercial cannabis operations in South Carolina, New York and the Caribbean.

Co-Chair
Sustainability Committee

Brittany not only leads the all-female team at TONIC as the FOUNDER & CEO, but she also co-founded Tricolla Farms and Bardo Labs. From full-supply chain control and the adoption of industry-leading authentication technology, to TONIC’s monthly giving initiatives and Bardo’s social equity programs, Carbone is paving the way for an industry that operates with intention, integrity, and inclusivity.

Chair
Retail Committee

A staple of the NYC cannabis community, Steve has established Come Back Daily as a premier wellness products and experience destination.

Co-Chair
Sustainability Committee

Melany leads product strategy and creative direction for Hudson Hemp and its portfolio of brands, including Treaty.

In her previous role as executive assistant for Humboldt Brothers, a Northern California based cannabis company, she gained expertise in local regulation and state legislature. She also worked as a research assistant at Hudson Carbon, a soil laboratory that studies how organic regenerative farming can maximize carbon capture and restore ecosystems.

Chair
Long Island Committee

Dave Falkowski is the founder of Open Minded Organics (OMO), a New York State licensed grower and processor of true minimally refined, Certified Organic, full spectrum hemp extracts. He has worked relentlessly to create connoisseur grade, varietal specific extracts, and unique efficacious blends.

Co-Chair
Education Committee

In addition to managing operations as Bardo’s Cofounder & CEO, Erik Carbone is the Cofounder & Lead Grower at Tricolla Farms. Combining his many years of logistics and management experience in the construction industry with his passion for cannabis and horticulture, Erik dove head-first into hemp cultivation in 2017 and hasn’t looked back.

His determination and intense desire to help people heal and connect through cannabis has made him a leader in the NYS hemp industry.

Chair
Central NY Committee

James “Jim” Charon is a Brooklyn, NY born Puerto Rican now living in Syracuse, NY since 1984. After experiencing the benefits of CBD, he founded Syracuse Hemporium in June 2018. He has since obtained a certification to work in a New York dispensary, a CBD Adviser certification from CBD Training Academy, and a master certification from the Cannabis Training University.