Newly Elected Board Members Usher in 2020 With Momentum

February 27, 2020

Hemp Industries Association Announces New Board Members

VANCOUVER, Washington, February 27, 2020 — The Hemp Industries Association® is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to the association’s board of directors, effective immediately.

“We’re excited about the new directors that are joining the HIA board,” said sitting HIA board director, Annie Rouse. “The elections, combined with our standing and appointed board members, provide a diversity of talent covering the farming, equipment, processing and commercial sectors. This broad spectrum of talent will allow the HIA to service the upcoming challenges of the emerging industries.”

Newly elected directors, Mike Lewis of Third Wave Farms, Joe Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Farm LLC and President of the Tennessee Growers Coalition, and Andrew Bish of Bish Enterprises join the HIA Board alongside re-elected directors, Joy Beckerman of Hemp Ace International and Rick Trojan of the Hemp Road Trip.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to share the wealth of information coming from Tennessee growers, processors, and retailers,” said newly elected director, Joe Kirkpatrick. “We’ve built the best regulatory environment on the planet to grow and consume hemp, and we want to share it with the rest of humanity. Hemp is a transcendent commodity. It is a market-driven solution for almost all environmental and nutritional problems we face today.”

The HIA Board of Directors will meet at their upcoming Strategic Annual Retreat to elect new executive leadership including President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, as all seats are currently up for re-election.

“This is a new day for the oldest and largest hemp industries association,” said re-elected board director, Rick Trojan. “Election of new leadership and staff positions make for an exciting time as the HIA makes the transition many of its industries are currently undertaking: cannabinoids, textiles, building material, food, and plastics. It is through focused engagement with our Membership and State Chapters that we continue to lead the hemp movement both domestically and internationally.”

In addition to the appointments of new board directors, the HIA welcomes Sarah Gardner as the new Membership Director. Gardner has been a member of the HIA for the last three years through her positions as B2B Sales Manager for a Colorado-based CBD manufacturer, as well as Director of CBD for Colorado-based hemp food and CBD manufacturer before joining the HIA staff in January.

Continuing their strong momentum into 2020, the HIA is currently reviewing the resumes of nearly 100 qualified and impressive applicants to be the association’s newest Executive Director. This appointment will mark their fourth Executive Director hire in 27 years.

It is the Board’s intention to secure an experienced trade association executive, poised to position the HIA as the premier trade association for all things hemp. Given recent federal legalization, pushback from the FDA, the inclusion of the DEA in USDA Interim Final Rules, and general noise and misinformation across state lines, the need for a strong HIA is greater than ever. The HIA is excited to address the challenges associated with its various industries to help move the country forward with hemp.