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.
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.
Christine Ianuzzi – Board Member – Christine Ianuzzi is the Managing Partner & Show Director of CWCBExpo. She has a background in corporate America providing a creative, steady and experienced business skillset across several industries from technology to cannabis. She is a serial transition executive that has been a trigger for change and a leader in disruptive and progressive businesses in many blue-chip companies since 1987 that include ABC Television, ABC Radio Networks and HBO, as well as her own business. In 2015 Christine joined her family of entrepreneurs who owned and operated hundreds of trade shows across several industries for many decades – many in disruptive business sectors. Since 2015 Christine has built the CWCBExpo brand and business. Today, Christine is Managing Partner and Show Director for 3 trade shows that focus on the legalized cannabis industry: Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpos) in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. Christine served on the Board of Trustees at New York University(NYU)-Polytechnic University, and also served as President of the Alumni Association of Polytechnic University of NYU.
The Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions (CWCBExpo) 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: New York, Los Angeles and Boston. The CWCBExpos are the leading forums offering conferences and expositions for dispensary owners, growers, suppliers, investors, medical professionals, government regulators, legal counsel, and entrepreneurs looking to achieve business success and identify new areas of growth in this dynamic and fast-growing industry.
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.
