Power Connections Cannabis

Dr. Jason Abate is a transformative leader and national sales director for Community Choice Credit Union, with a rich academic and professional background. His journey includes a BA from the University of Michigan, an MBA in Global Management, and a Doctorate in Business Administration. With over 20 years of senior and executive-level leadership experience, he has held significant roles in banking, leading hundreds of employees and overseeing operations across the entire state of Michigan at leading financial institutions. As an educator, Dr. Abate’s published research on workplace dynamics and technology has gained widespread recognition. He has also worked with the White House on policy initiatives and has been a panelist at Harvard University, teaching at universities across the country. Dr. Abate’s involvement with one of the most successful apps in the App Store for a social cause, along with his role as chairman and founder of an app dedicated to saving millions of lives, has led to speaking engagements nationwide, including at Harvard, where he discussed the transformative power of media. He looks forward to understanding the unique needs of your cannabis business and offering thoughtful, tailored solutions to help you succeed. His dedication to various social causes, impacting millions worldwide, including children’s online safety, has garnered millions of views on social media, further amplifying his societal impact.

Albert Allen is a principal in the Business Valuation Practice with more than 10 years of experience providing valuations for closely-held businesses in a variety of applications. His expertise includes financial reporting, estate and gift tax planning, and litigation engagements, performing in-depth market research, financial statement analysis, and applying multiple valuation methodologies.

He provides utility conversion cost analysis models for regional energy offices, electric utility rate case analysis for residential services, eminent domain business cost analysis for government agencies, and building complex financial models, 13-week cash flows, internal financial schedules, budget reports, and daily departmental tracking reports in Microsoft Excel.

Myles Baker is a rising star in the areas of regulatory cannabis, complex business litigation, and labor and employment law. Myles received his undergraduate degree and law degree from Michigan State University. Myles began his career with Dickinson Wright PLLC by joining the firm in 2017. From there, Myles went in-house as the Director of Compliance of a vertically integrated cannabis operator. Myles then returned to Dickinson Wright, as a Partner, wedding his legal and operational expertise, to act as outside counsel for cannabis operators.

Bryan Barash is Dutchie’s Vice President for Marketing, External Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, responsible for overseeing marketing, compliance, public affairs, social equity, and other legal functions at Dutchie. Bryan also serves as the Secretary of the United States Cannabis Council and Co-Chair of the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform. Prior to his three years at Dutchie, Bryan spent the previous eight years as General Counsel to Massachusetts State Senate President Harriette Chandler after receiving his law degree from Boston College. Bryan lives in Beverly, Massachusetts with his wife Claudia, son Elias, and their dachshund. 

With over 20 years in financial services, Donna Bashi has become a trusted advisor to many. As Vice President of Business Development at Community Choice Credit Union, she expertly navigates complex financial landscapes, with particular insight into cannabis-related banking.

Donna’s extensive experience helping cannabis businesses has given her unique expertise in this challenging field. She offers tailored solutions, drawing on her deep understanding of the industry’s specific needs and regulations. For businesses seeking a knowledgeable partner to guide them through financial complexities, Donna’s experience makes her an invaluable resource.

Beyond her professional role, Donna is an active member of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce and a devoted mother of two. From her home in Shelby Township, MI, she continues to make a positive impact in both the financial world and her local community.

Randall Buchman, founder and CEO of Pleasantrees, has built one of Michigan’s most respected cannabis companies from the ground up. Starting with a few lights in a basement, Randy has grown Pleasantrees into a fully integrated company with over 200 dedicated team members. Building a business that spans cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and retail, Randy and his team have developed an in-depth understanding of each stage of the cannabis supply chain. His commitment to data-driven insights has been crucial, enabling Pleasantrees to streamline operations and drive informed decisions across its vertical structure. This approach has allowed Pleasantrees to set the bar high in an industry where quality and innovation are paramount.

Charles (“Chuck”) Bullock has dedicated his 25+ year career to serving as a fiduciary and representing fiduciaries in countless state court proceedings and bankruptcy cases.  Chuck’s practice is grounded in debtors’ and creditors’ rights, real estate, bankruptcy matters, and business and commercial litigation (including those involving closely held business entities) for debtors and secured and unsecured creditors in complex bankruptcy proceedings, out-of-court negotiations, and transactions involving distressed businesses.  The breadth of Chuck’s restructuring engagements, from cannabis, manufacturing, and agriculture to health care, including serving in a fiduciary capacity, set him apart as uniquely qualified to be an effective fiduciary.  Chuck regularly serves as a Receiver or Assignee for the Benefit of Creditors.  

Chuck obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis.  He is a founding member (1998) and managing partner of Stevenson & Bullock, P.L.C.  Chuck is a member of the state bars of Michigan (1996) and Tennessee (1995).  

• Serves as Court appointed Assignee, Receiver, or Receiver’s Counsel in Lenawee, Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties (Michigan) and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; 
• Serves as Court appointed Mediator and Facilitator in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties (Michigan) and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; and 
• Serves as Court appointed Discovery Master in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties (Michigan). 
• Clerked for the Hon. Bernice B. Donald, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District, Tennessee (Judge Donald is currently retired from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals); 
• Adjunct Professor (Bankruptcy) at Michigan State University College of Law; 

Righting the wrongs of the War on Drugs will take time. Thankfully, Jerome Crawford, Esq. is in for the long haul.

Crawford is in a unique hybrid role as Chief Legal Officer for Pleasantrees, Michigan’s premier cultivator and seller of high-quality Midwest cannabis. There, he is responsible for the gamut of legal needs and spearheads social equity initiatives to ensure the company makes positive, genuine, and lasting impact within local communities as it grows.

A native Detroiter and “Super Spartan,” Crawford graduated Magna Cum Laude as a prelaw student at Michigan State University before earning his Juris Doctor at the MSU College of Law.

Outside of breaking ground as the first Black in-house counsel of a major cannabis manufacturer in the state of Michigan, Crawford is a law professor at Wayne State University Law School, working actor, model, and comedian, and esteemed member of Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.

Derek Dickow is a world-class networker renowned for facilitating high-potential introductions. He has raised tens of millions of dollars for projects, political campaigns, and charities he is passionate about. Derek currently serves as a power connector and executive coach, supporting premier events, including Power Connections—a conference series he founded that brings industry leaders together for relationship building and thought-provoking discussions that transcend business as usual.

After nearly 20 years as a financial services attorney and advisor, Mike entered the Cannabis industry in 2017, as a practicing lawyer doing what he always does best, solving problems with creative practical solutions.  Most recently, he has successfully transitioned from lawyer to business leader in his role as Chief Corporate Officer of House of Dank.  In that role he has been a part of HOD’s leadership team as it has exponentially grown its footprint and sales over the last three years.  Founded in the early days of Michigan’s care giver market, HOD has successfully navigated the transition from the Caregiver to MMFLA to MRTMA marketplaces.  Today it is proud to have 15 licensed facilities with approximately 400 employees throughout the State and an ambitious 2023 growth plan.

Dan Fischer is a seasoned banking executive with a distinguished career spanning several decades. Currently serving as the CEO of Citizens State Bank since September 2020, he has brought his expertise to lead the institution to new heights. Before his role at Citizens State Bank, Dan served as the President, CEO, Chief Lending Officer, and Director at The Citizens Bank of Logan from November 2014 to August 2019.
Dan’s previous leadership roles include Chairman and President at Urban Trust Bank, Executive Vice President at Associated Banc-Corporation, and Senior Vice President at Fifth Third Bancorp. Dan’s career trajectory is a testament to his dedication to the banking industry and his capacity for leadership and strategic vision. As the CEO of Citizens State Bank, he continues to steer the institution toward success, drawing upon his wealth of experience in the financial sector.

Kim James is the Director of Cannabis Affairs for the City of Detroit and oversees Detroit’s 171 medical and adult-use cannabis business licenses as well as the City’s social equity program known as Homegrown Detroit.  Homegrown’s mission is to facilitate entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry by people of color and residents of disproportionately impacted communities. Prior to her tenure in the Office of Cannabis Affairs, she worked as a city attorney focusing on developing the regulatory framework for the Detroit cannabis market from caregiver centers to medical facilities to adult-use establishments.  She has practiced law for over 20 years, and specializes in land use, regulatory compliance, real estate, and contracts. 

Michael Johnson is the CEO of Metrc .He is responsible for leading the team in ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s legal cannabis market. He also served as president and CFO, during this time, he transformed the organizational infrastructure and hired top leadership across all phases. Prior to joining Metrc, Johnson spent his career scaling hyper-growth tech businesses, working with investors and overseeing financial operations. Most recently, he served as the CFO of InformedDNA, the largest provider of genetics services, where he led the company to consecutive years of high growth, eventually selling the company to private equity investors. Prior to InformedDNA, Johnson served as the CFO of CM Group, a family of global marketing technology brands, where he drove cost efficiencies and increased margins through corporate acquisitions, financing, and restructuring. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Mark Khoury is Senior Corporate Counsel for TerrAscend, Corp–a leading North American cannabis operator with vertically integrated operations in California, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as retail operations in Canada. In his role, Mark handles a variety of commercial legal matters for the business. Mark entered the cannabis industry in 2021 by joining Gage Cannabis. Mark looks to find practical solutions to problems the business faces. Mark holds a JD/MBA from the University of Miami.

Amanda Kugler is an insurance agent with The Roots Insurance Agency based out of Troy, MI. With over fourteen years of insurance experience, Amanda has been recognized as one of the leading cannabis insurance agents in the country. Amanda has also been a featured speaker at conferences across the country educating attendees on the cannabis insurance marketplace.

Amanda’s focus on professionalism and attention to detail are attributes that have allowed her to grow her clientele in the cannabis industry. Because of her extensive experience insuring cannabis facilities across the country, Amanda brings a high level of expertise to every business she works with. Because of the complex nature of both the industry and the insurance policies
that support the cannabis space, she is able to identify and evaluate the risk exposures present in her clients’ businesses, allowing her to provide insurance solutions tailored specifically for each business she works with.

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt grew up as the middle child on a six-generation family farm in West Michigan. He went on to earn an economics degree from Hillsdale College, later earning a master’s in international business. He received the “Distinguished Alumnus” award from Hillsdale for his work as a conservative reformer.

Aric was elected to represent Van Buren County and part of Allegan County in the Michigan House of Representatives. He served three terms, achieving results for hardworking taxpayers by balancing budgets and reducing debt, lowering the tax burden, eliminating thousands of rules and regulations, and defending our values. He served as the House Majority Floor Leader and chair of the House Committee on Energy and Technology. Aric also served as a member of Gov. Rick Snyder’s cabinet, managing an agency that generates nearly $1 billion annually for public education. 

In 2018, Aric was elected to the state Senate. He now represents the 20th District, which includes portions of Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan and Kent counties. He has passed legislation to save drivers billions of dollars on auto insurance and fought to stop tax increases on families and small businesses. 

Aric currently lives in Porter Township, with his wife Trisha, daughter Catherine, and son William near the family farm.

Jenna Mullins is a seasoned Human Resources executive with nearly 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Chief People Officer at Muha Meds, a leading company in the cannabis industry. At Muha Meds, Jenna specializes in organizational development, talent acquisition, and cultivating a dynamic company culture that drives success in a highly competitive market. Her strategic leadership has been instrumental in scaling the company’s operations nationwide, navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving industry, and ensuring compliance with diverse regulatory landscapes.

In addition to her pivotal role at Muha Meds, Jenna serves as the Risk Management Director for the PS Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building a strong community for women and combating the growing loneliness epidemic. In this capacity, she oversees all internal operations, manages people-related initiatives, and leads risk management for events, ensuring safe and meaningful experiences for members. Her commitment to fostering inclusive communities and empowering women reflects her broader passion for social impact and corporate responsibility.

Jenna’s unique blend of professional expertise and philanthropic dedication makes her a respected voice within the cannabis industry. She brings valuable insights into scaling businesses effectively while maintaining a strong organizational culture and prioritizing employee well-being. Her extensive experience in human resources, combined with her leadership in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, positions her as an influential figure whose perspectives on people management and organizational excellence are highly sought after by industry peers and newcomers alike.

Chris Ostrowski is the CTO and a founding member of Dutchie, the leading cannabis technology platform powering legal dispensaries. As CTO, Chris oversees product development, software functions and system operations. 

Chris previously served as the CTO at RetireUp, a supplemental financial planning tool, and as the founder, architect and CTO at RepPro, a retirement planning software for financial advisors. 

Sky Patel is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Kairos Labs, a trailblazing safety compliance testing laboratory transforming the legal cannabis industry. Terpene testing has been free from day one, and Kairos provides next-day test results that are fully compliant with the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). Sky’s unwavering commitment to serving METRC customers, regulators, caregivers, and consumers ensures that safety, consistency, and reliability are at the forefront of all operations.

Sky is also the Managing Partner of Prime7, a consulting and private equity firm. Prime7 operates across a spectrum of industries—including technology, finance, healthcare, and real estate—with businesses ranging from $5 million to over $200 million in revenue. Sky’s innovative approach and dedication to excellence have solidified his reputation as a respected leader and visionary, driving growth and fostering innovation across multiple sectors.

Sky believes that success is built on accountability, quality, and—above all—results. By setting high standards, he empowers businesses to execute bold growth strategies, build strong reputations, enhance customer loyalty, and navigate challenges with confidence. Sky is a proud Spartan and Michigan native.

Rachel Reed has over 17 years of experience in sales, marketing, and distribution and has worked for some of the world’s most recognized brands such as Coca-Cola, Red Bull, and Ford Motor Company. She entered cannabis in 2019 when she launched STIIIZY in Michigan and is currently the Regional Wholesale Director for PharmaCann, overseeing Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Although Rachel has supported well over 50 CPG brands, she believes the most important brand you will ever represent is your own. She has coached dozens of high-performing sales and marketing teams based on that principle.

Patty Roe, founder of PS Society, has a diverse background in marketing, politics, public affairs, and women’s advocacy. She has worked as chief of staff for two U.S. Members of Congress, managing operations, campaign strategies, and finance efforts, particularly engaging with the Navajo Nation. Patty co-founded a national marketing firm that generated over $4M annually and was recognized by *San Diego Magazine* as one of the “Women of the Year.” In 2022-2023, she served on the Executive Board of This is Jane Project, supporting women’s empowerment and mental health initiatives. Currently, she also works in public affairs for various federally recognized tribes, furthering her commitment to advocacy and community building. Through PS Society, Patty continues her passion for creating supportive communities and dynamic spaces for women across the country.

Ankur Rungta is co-founder and chief executive officer of C3 Industries, Inc. Under his leadership, the company has raised over $100 million of capital and employs over 600 people. Ankur and his team have overseen the development of six award-winning cannabis production facilities and nineteen retail stores in Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Oregon.

Ankur is also a co-founder and board member of Nickel City Pictures, a film and television production company based in Los Angeles and New York City that has produced such box office hits as “John Wick: Chapter 2,” “The November Man,” and “Mother’s Day,” among others. Before launching these companies, Ankur worked as an investment banker at Moelis & Company in New York and as a corporate attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York, advising clients on capital markets and M&A transactions.

Ankur earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in 2004. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law school in 2008 when he graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif.

In 2014, he was nominated to the Detroit Opera Board of Directors. He has taken an active role in the arts organization, serving as Vice Chairman of the Board and leading the Nominating and Governance Committee, the youngest person to hold those roles.

Ankur is also a dedicated family man. He and his wife reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with their three children. He enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, playing basketball, watching college and professional sports, and keeping up with current events and politics. Ankur was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in Buffalo, New York.

Plunkett Cooney partner Jeffrey M. Schroder is a founding member of the firm’s Cannabis Industry Group. Since the enactment of the MMFLA in 2016, Jeff has been assisting clients with cannabis licensing, regulatory, and litigation matters.  Some of Michigan’s largest and most well-known cannabis businesses  rely on Jeff for expert counsel and advice. His clients include cannabis growers, retailers, among others for whom he provides business licensing and renewals and assistance with regulatory compliance, real estate, zoning, government relations, election ballot initiatives, employment law issues and many others. An experienced governmental law attorney who served for nearly a decade as Assistant City Attorney in Warren Michigan and as an Assistant Michigan Attorney General, Jeff was also uniquely qualified to counsel municipalities on the aspects of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act and other state laws that created the framework for today’s cannabis industry.

​​Benjamin Sobczak is an experienced litigator with an emphasis on shareholder and close corporate disputes, collection actions, private securities litigation, class action defense, and business torts. He also serves as outside general counsel providing regulatory and transactional-based services to cannabis companies in various jurisdictions throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a frequent speaker at professional seminars and conferences and is recognized as a leading legal contributor to the Michigan cannabis industry. Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Ben served as the Chief Legal Officer for a vertically integrated cannabis company with multi-state operations. In that role, Ben gained invaluable experience as a business operator and entrepreneur. That expanded perspective enables him to fully appreciate client needs and develop practical and cost-effective legal solutions in furtherance of their success.