Jason brings a decade of operational experience within the regulated cannabis industry and currently serves in the role of Chief Executive Officer for the vertically integrated, Missouri-based operator, BeLeaf Medical. After earning Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Horticulture from Kansas State University, Jason has spent the last 10 years developing regulated commercial cannabis operations across every medical/recreational market in the continental United States. Beginning in 2012 Jason spent 3.5 years at the Green Solution, a leading cannabis producer/retailer in Denver, during the transition from a medical to recreational marketplace. Leveraging that operating experience, Jason joined newly licensed Cresco Labs in early 2016 as the company was completing inaugural crop harvests in three Illinois-based facilities. Over the next four years, Jason implemented and refined the national production model establishing Cresco Labs as the largest manufacturer of branded cannabis products in the country. Through new license awards and successful M&A activity the operating portfolio expanded to a 10-state market presence, growing quarterly wholesale revenue from $60,000/quarter to $120 MM in Q4 2021. Upon finalizing the current national production model footprint in early 2020, Jason transitioned his operational experience into the Public Affairs Department directly supporting social equity applicants, community colleges and public-private research partnership development. As a founding member of the Cresco Labs SEED team, Jason focused resources aimed at mitigating and rectifying the disproportionate impact of anti-cannabis law enforcement levied against minority communities. Leveraging the second mover advantage gained during the MSO expansion phase serves as the foundation for effective and financially sound cannabis business model expansion alongside incurring positive, tangible outcomes which support and empower disaffected communities. As part of the work-from-home corporate transition during the initial phases of the pandemic, Jason was able to relocate to his family’s home-base in St Louis, Missouri. Jason is beyond thrilled to bring his professional experience to the expanding Missouri cannabis market and has found an amazing team and equally amazing production/retail brand quality execution that resoundingly positions BeLeaf Medical as a premier vertically integrated operator.