| Chris Walsh Managing Editor Marijuana Business Media As the editorial head of Marijuana Business Media, Chris oversees the industry trade publications Marijuana Business Daily and Marijuana Business Magazine. He also programs and keynotes the National Marijuana business Conference & Expo and leads the research team behind the company’s reports, including the Marijuana Business Factbook. Profiled in Dow Jones Newswires as a top business journalist in the cannabis industry, Chris is frequently quoted by mainstream media organizations such as the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe and MarketWatch. He has more than a decade of professional experience as a business reporter and editor at daily newspapers. | |
| Curt Steinhorst The Center for Generational Kinetics Curt Steinhorst is a Certified-Speaker at The Center for Generational Kinetics, an organization whose founder has been featured on 60 Minutes, 20/20, The Today Show, and The View. Curt is a member of Gen Y who has a reputation as a leader in his own generation. At age 20, he was elected President of his 10,000 member class at Texas A&M University. Since graduating from college Magna Cum laude he has worked extensively to make the most of generational strengths in a variety of organizations. Curt’s speaking style has wowed audiences of up to 20,000 from California to New York and Africa. Curt’s personal experiences leading Gen Y and direct work with top performers make him a powerful communicator for bridging the generations. Learn more about The Center’s unusual take on generations at www.GenHQ.com. | |
| Craig Regelbrugge Senior Vice President AmericanHort As AmericanHort’s senior vice president, Craig is responsible for industry advocacy and research programs. Formally known as the American Horticulture Industry Association, AmericanHort launched in January, 2014, as the consolidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA - The Association of Horticulture Professionals. The mission of AmericanHort is to unite, promote, and advance our industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development, and research. Regelbrugge received his undergraduate degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech, and he worked in the retail nursery industry and served as a county horticultural extension agent in Virginia before joining ANLA in December, 1989. | |
| Doug Mueller President Breakthrough®Fuel Since joining the company as President in 2007, Mr. Mueller has led all aspects of the Breakthrough®Fuel business including client development, relationship management, solution design, business implementation and transaction management. His diverse background in the energy management, supply chain and transportation industries has helped Breakthrough®Fuel become the trusted supply chain transportation energy advisor to numerous leading and innovative companies. For 30 years he has held successful leadership roles in supply chain transportation energy management, logistics, transportation management, business transformation, and fleet operations and maintenance. Breakthrough®Fuel has enjoyed rapid shipper adoption and market moving growth during Mueller’s tenure. Mr. Mueller received his Bachelor of Science degree in business from Carroll University and his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. | |
| Joel Hughes Sr. Vice President Scranton Gillette Communications / SGC Horizon Joel Hughes is an IT expert and data mercenary, currently in charge of data development and data product strategy at Scranton Gillette. Joel has more than 14 years of professional experience in technology and has never stopped learning and evolving his craft. Joel has previously spoken about data at several industry events, most recently the SIIA BIMS conference in Miami. | |
| Dave Edenfield Business Development Manager McConkey Company | |
| Denise Dersin Editorial Director Professional Builder Denise Dersin, editorial director of Professional Builder, Custom Builder, ProBuilder.com and HousingZone.com, served as editor in chief of Builder magazine for 10 years, led a number of editorial initiatives in the home building industry and earned many major editorial awards, including four Jesse H. Neal Awards. | |
| Marta Maria Costa Director of Marketing Costa Farms Marta Maria Garcia, the Marketing Director for Costa Farms, the largest producer of indoor plants in the world, is an expert creating memorable consumer experiences and increasing brand loyalty. As leader of Costa’s creative team, she has helped establish Costa Farms as the industry’s leading marketing innovator, introducing such branded programs as O24U:Houseplants with a Purpose and Tropical Escape. Working closely with breeders and retailers, she has helped bring new plants to the market and developed highly successful customized marketing programs for customers at big-box retailers such as Lowe’s, Walmart and Home Depot. Her expertise in market research, digital media, new product development and promotional retail programs make her a go to marketing thought leader in the industry. Previously, Ms. Garcia was in marketing with Bacardi, promoting several premium brands in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Garcia earned her MBA from Florida International University and her BA from the University of Puerto Rico. | |
| Thomas A. Colquhoun Ph.D. Assistant Professor Environmental Horticulture Program, University of Florida Thomas A. Colquhoun is an assistant professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida. Current research has a strong focus on plant biotechnology with two main principles: elucidation and manipulation of plant volatile compound biosynthesis, basic and applied interactions of plant produced stimuli with animals. These principles are achieved utilizing molecular, biochemical, metabolomic, genetic, psychophysical, and psychological approaches. Graduate and undergraduate mentoring and research training is of highest priority. Dr. Colquhoun’s lab has established sound relationships with interdepartmental, intradepartmental, national, and international collaborators. | |
| James E. Barrett Ph.D. Emeritus Professor Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida Jim earned his B.S. and M.S. at Auburn University and received a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Horticultural Science. His research involves two main areas: 1) The evaluation of plant growth regulator chemicals and development of application methods used on floriculture crops. 2) Studies on environmental and cultural factors affecting production of floriculture crops. A consulting editor to GPN, Barrett has authored more than 250 articles and book chapters on research and production recommendations in trade magazines and scientific journals. Jim has worked with more than 35 different companies to develop and evaluate plant cultivars, chemical growth regulators and other products for use in the greenhouse/nursery industry. | |
