Hemp Industries Association Elects New Board Members

With the 2021 Hemp Industries Association election complete and the results certified, members have selected four members to serve on the HIA board of directors beginning in January. Board members are elected for three-year terms beginning with the new year.

The board welcomes:

• Lauren Graham, general counsel, Beneficial Blends
• Andrea Hermann, principal, The Ridge International Cannabis Consulting
• Vanessa Snyder, director of business development, Eurofins Food Safety and Testing
• Christopher Ware, CEO, KCA Laboratories

Additionally, the board voted to appoint outgoing Director Annie Rouse (CEO of OP Innovates, Anavii Market, and Hemp Mellow) to the remaining vacant seat on the board. Her appointed term also began Jan. 1, and concludes at the end of the year.

The board and staff would also like to thank outgoing Director Todd Runestad, senior editor at Natural Products Insider and New Hope Network, whose contributions to the leadership of HIA during this time were crucial.

“We cannot write about HIA leadership without mentioning the passing of Steve Levine, who departed this life on New Years Day,” stated an HIA statement announcing the election results. “Steve made many contributions to better this world, including spending 17 years on HIA’s board — more than anyone else in our history. He was twice elected president, demonstrating the esteem his colleagues had for him, and made many seminal contributions to work of HIA, Vote Hemp, and the cause of legalizing hemp.

“We will have more to say about Steve later, as the community is preparing to honor his life and works. But those who knew him are aware that this world is lessened by his passing, and those who didn’t have the privilege should be aware of just how much he accomplished for hemp through his long, dedicated servant leadership.”