FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2022
Vancouver, WA – The 2022 election for the Hemp Industries Association’s Board of Directors began today, with virtual ballots distributed to all voting members of the nation’s oldest hemp advocacy group. With eleven candidates nominated to fill five upcoming vacancies, the votes of the members are set to have a profound impact on the future of the 29-year old hemp industry nonprofit. The election will run through the end of the year, with the chosen members’ three-year terms terms beginning on January 1st, 2023.
Candidates are nominated by fellow members and must represent a farming or business class member, per the organization’s bylaws. This year’s nominees are:
| Adin Alai, CEO and Co-Founder – 9Fiber |
| Bryan Bohning, – Der Wenig Bauernhof |
| Cynthia Cabrera, Chief Strategy Officer – Hometown Hero CBD |
| Rob Davidson, CEO – CURE Pharmaceutical |
| Sister Kate, Owner – Sister of the Valley |
| Mike Lewis, Owner, Healing Ground Farms | Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, National Center for Appropriate Technology | President, HIA – Healing Ground Farms |
| Spencer Owens, Government Relations Specialist – CBD Kratom |
| La Vonne Peck, Principal – Native Network Consulting |
| Annie Rouse, Chief Operating Officer, OP Innovates | Co-founder, Overcome, Hemp Mellow | Co-Founder of Anavii Market – OP Innovates |
| Jeromy Sherman, Co-Founder, Bayou City Hemp – Bayou City Hemp |
| Jennifer Soltys, Sales Executive – HPS Food and Ingredients |
| Shayda Torabi, CEO and Co-Founder – RESTART CBD |
Current Directors running for re-election include incumbent President Mike Lewis, incumbent Treasurer Rob Davidson, Annie Rouse, and La Vonne Peck.Â
Founded in 1994, the Hemp Industries Association’s Board of Directors has benefited from service by dedicated volunteer leaders from across the hemp industries during its long and storied history.Â