March 19, 2020
Hemp Industries Association Announces Leadership Change and New Initiatives
The Association and Joy Beckerman Mutually Agree to Part Ways; The Association Will Focus on Post Hemp Prohibition Strategies
NASHVILLE–The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) today announced that Joy Beckerman, President, will depart from the Association effective immediately. Association Vice President, Rick Trojan, will coordinate all presidential duties until a new president is elected.
Of the transition Trojan said: “Joy has been an immense asset to the HIA and the hemp industry in general. We are all grateful for her efforts and leadership. However, when she outlined her time constraints and many responsibilities with other organizations it became clear that the HIA needed a change; not only to ensure the cohesive execution of our upcoming initiatives but also so Joy can focus on her other endeavors.”
Trojan continued: “The current board is enthusiastic about the upcoming strategies we will be deploying to bring more focus to the hemp industry and our members. Though we are post-prohibition, we still have many challenges ahead such as navigating banking regulations and the issues surrounding digital marketing for our members. In the coming months, more announcements will be made regarding the Association’s strategies to strengthen the hemp economy and educate the public about the many uses of our member’s products.”
Association Treasurer & Hemp Farmer, Mike Lewis said: “Hemp farmers have a lot of opportunities in front of them but there are still policies that need to be written, standards to be introduced and education required to ensure compliance. This is an exciting and stressful time as farmers are still hurting as the industry grows. The HIA has a responsibility to help shape those standards and policies on behalf of our members. I am confident and excited about the HIA’s board’s commitment to support our members and lift our collective voices as we implement new strategies that will help us all lead hemp into the future we all imagine.”
ABOUT THE HEMP INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
Founded in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994 by a group of hemp business owners and activists, The Hemp Industries Association® (HIA®) is a membership-based non-profit trade association. Its mission is to advance the hemp economy and educate the market for the benefit of our members, the public, and the planet. For more information please go to www.thehia.org