The National Hemp Association is governed by an 5 member volunteer Board which is elected by the membership for rotating three-year terms. Board members come from many of the nation’s most experienced hemp professionals.
Below are our current NHA Board members.
Geoff Whaling – Chairman – Geoffrey W. Whaling is the President and CEO of AgricNext and CEO of GWW LLC. He is also the Founding Board Member of the Coalition for Access Now and Athletes 4 Care. Born in Canada Geoff is the retired Founder, Chief Coordinator and CEO of Current Events, Corporate Planners International, North American Motorsport Events (NAME), Inc. and the GoodSport Management Group of Companies.
Whaling’s areas of expertise are wide ranging given the complexity and diversity of his government, business, entrepreneurial and philanthropic work. His strengths include strategic communications, government and public affairs/relations, business-to-business marketing and partnerships, sponsorship sales, large-scale multi-element blockbuster event production, logistical coordination, destination management, protocol, security and hospitality programming, merchandising, fundraising and promotions. A profound sense of “wanting to serve” remains an integral part in his life. (Term expires May 2019)
Alex Seleznov – Treasurer – Alex Seleznov is the CEO of several hemp industry companies related to growing, processing, and retailing hemp and hemp products. Prior to obtaining those positions in February of 2015, he spent three years in the horticulture industry with one of the largest greenhouse growers in the western United States. Alex joined NHA in October of 2014 and has been a regular attendee of NHA events. Alex brings over 20 years of financial and operational knowledge and experience. In past positions Alex has been a Controller, CFO, and Operations Manager in industries ranging from manufacturing, public accounting, health care, and financial services. Alex has served as Board Member of a mutual fund and has maintained regular interaction with Board activities throughout his career.
Marielle Weintraub – Marielle has a Ph.D. in behavioral neuroscience which can be of use when discussing the scientific advantages of the endocannabinoid system, she is truly passionate in advancing the use of CBD oil as an alternative to other medications, when appropriate. Her current position with Covance Food Solutions, one of the largest analytical chemistry and contract research organizations, may help to advance the needs of this industry and adds additional diversity to the board. Her successful campaign to allow Hemp/CBD oil testing at the Covance facilities has been a big game changer for some of the members of the NHA. Marielle is based in Texas, however her position with Covance Food Solutions has her covering the mountain plains, including Colorado.
Christine Ianuzzi – Christine is a Managing Partner of H.A. Bruno Events, LLC. In January. H.A. Bruno Events, LLC, operates Leading Edge Expositions, LLC (LEE). Three trade events are produced each year by LEE: the Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions held in New York, Los Angeles and Boston. The Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions are business-to-business events for the legalized cannabis industry and are held 3 times per year in the largest media, financial and business markets.
Ianuzzi’s previous executive roles include serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer for Robocast, Inc. Prior to that, Ianuzzi served as Vice President of Studio & Production Operations, and then as Vice President of Supply Chain Operations for HBO from August 2010 to June 2014. Prior to HBO, Ianuzzi served as Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Technology for ABC Radio Networks/Citadel Broadcasting from 2000 to 2010 where she led and implemented the technical and business goals of the Engineering and Operations divisions. She was a key executive during the transition of ABC Radio Networks to Citadel Broadcasting in restructuring and realigning the company in a changing industry.
Affiliate Member – US Hemp Round Table
Josh Hendrix – Born and raised in the Bluegrass State and a University of Kentucky alumnus, Mr. Hendrix relocated back to Central Kentucky in 2014 on a mission to help rebuild the US hemp industry. Seeing a need to bring farmers, processors, manufacturers and supporters of the industry together, Mr. Hendrix founded the Kentucky Hemp Industries Association that summer and still serves on the Board of Directors. He also became an active member of the US Hemp Roundtable where he now serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. In 2015 he created and became President of Hendrix Hemp, a licensed hemp producer that manages hemp cultivation on his family’s, Mayflower Farm, in Mount Sterling, KY. In early 2017 Mr. Hendrix was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Hemp Association and also accepted a role on the Board of Directors for Friends of Hemp. He is also the host of the Hemp Happy Hour, a live radio show and podcast about the emerging hemp industry. Currently Mr. Hendrix serves as the Director of Business Development – Domestic Production for CV Sciences, Inc. where he works with numerous universities, farmers, businesses, and organizations to help facilitate the infrastructure necessary to establish a modern domestic supply chain for hemp in the United States.
Affiliate Member – Hemp Heals Foundation
Riley Cote – Riley Cote is a former NHL hockey player who spent 4 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. Battling his way up the pro ranks, Riley identified his physical presence as his ticket to living his childhood dream. His rugged play soon established himself as one of the leagues’ most willing combatants. The wear and tear soon took its toll on his physical body and he retired in 2010 and began his coaching career.
Since retiring in 2010 Riley has completely changed his way of life and has since embraced the natural process of healing, optimum nutrition and a holistic lifestyle. He created a 5013c non-profit organization called the Hemp Heals Foundation dedicated to help all people reconnect to the natural world. Focusing on clean agricultural practices and promoting the industrial hemp plant as a viable, renewable and an extremely useful resource. Without a doubt hemp is the cornerstone to a healthier and sustainable future.