Our Team
RYAN,
Director of Horticulture
Ryan has had a lifelong fascination with the beauty in nature and how it interacts with mankind. In 2010, he entered the Horticultural Sciences program at the University of Rhode Island, with a focus on medicinal plants and wildlife conservation. During his time at URI, he worked with the local chapter of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy to spread awareness and bring about change in university cannabis policy.
In the pursuit of knowledge and skills he worked in a large variety of horticultural settings including farms, nurseries, landscaping, botanical gardens, and most recently, cultivating in the Rhode Island medical marijuana industry. Now, he strives to create a high-quality hemp cannabis grown with environmentally responsible practices. He hopes to use this knowledge to help shape cannabis agriculture policy on a state level and to encourage our local agricultural community to join us in this movement.
EMILY,
Chief Operating Officer
Emily's professional background is in organic agriculture and drug policy activism. Alongside her work at Lovewell Farms, she contributes to the Cannabis Column for Motif Magazine, and teaches gardening skills and environmental education programming to incarcerated individuals with GardenTime.
In her spare time she advocates for criminal justice reform and cannabis policy reform, and she organizes with other farmers around food justice issues. She is a proud alumna of Students for Sensible Drug Policy and continues to advocate for compassionate, science-based, and equitable drug policies in Rhode Island and beyond.
Her passion for social justice, environmental sustainability, and love of plants all come together in the cannabis space, and she is driven to help create an industry that reflects the goals of the movement behind it. She believes in the power of community, and that the lines between food, drugs, and medicine are not as distinct as one might think.
MIKE,
Founder
Mike is a Rhode Island-registered caregiver who has been working in cannabis policy for over fifteen years. Beginning in 2004, he founded Maine’s only college chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an international grass-roots organization dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. He then went on to work with the Marijuana Policy Project to update the state’s medicinal marijuana law to increase availability.
More recently, Mike was the Deputy Director of Regulate Rhode Island, another Marijuana Policy Project-funded initiative, that worked to regulate cannabis in the state. He is currently pursuing his third secondary degree as a PhD student at Brown University, studying archaeology and American history.
DEVIN,
Production & Inventory Manager
A Berklee College of Music trained musician, Devin has studied music theory and production and musical instrument repair for over a decade. Seeking funding for better instruments, Devin turned to the cannabis industry. Over the last six years, he has been developing his professional experience in the cannabis industry here in Rhode Island. For over five years he worked in both the front and back of the house of one of the state’s three medical marijuana dispensaries, starting first as a trimmer and eventually becoming harvest manager. At Lovewell Farms, Devin began as an Production Assistant and over time developed his skills to become our Production and Inventory Manager.
Devin’s attention to detail and creativity lend well to his work in instrument repair and cannabis production, but also as a fine furniture reupholster. Gus, Devin’s dachshund, enjoys assisting him with inventory and testing the Lovewell Farms CBD Pet Tincture.
DREW,
Sales Account Manager
Meet Drew, a seasoned cannabis professional and visionary entrepreneur. With a solid background in small business operations, CPG sales, and comprehensive knowledge of RI medical and recreational cannabis policies, procedures, and procurement. Drew has been a prominent figure in the Rhode Island cannabis scene since 2012. As a registered patient, caregiver, consultant, and general manager, he has played diverse roles, contributing to the growth and evolution of the industry.
Drew's influence has been instrumental in transforming the traditional in-store shopping experience into a seamless and convenient process. He spearheaded the implementation of innovative practices such as pre-ordering and purchasing cannabis through e-commerce, curbside pick-up, and home delivery, revolutionizing the way people access cannabis products in Rhode Island.
Notably, Drew recently played a pivotal role in the successful opening of Rhode Island's fifth licensed dispensary. Achieving his goal of building a renowned cannabis brand and establishing a new medical and recreational dispensary, he decided to redirect his focus beyond the challenges of the dispensary world. Drew now passionately explores the remarkable potential of the hemp plant and the power of CBD on the body and our planet. His unwavering commitment to creating a more just and healthy world through the myriad benefits of cannabis is his ultimate career aspiration.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Drew leads an active and fulfilling life. When he's not immersed in the world of cannabis, you can find him embarking on thrilling adventures, exploring the world on his bicycle, or getting into the woods and hiking with his dog by his side. He also enjoys engaging in sports like ice hockey and volleyball, and he’s always embracing the competitive spirit. Above all, Drew treasures the precious moments of being a devoted father, cherishing the quality time he spends doing rad dad things with his daughter.
We are incredibly excited to have Drew on board, sharing his profound passion for cannabis and dedication to a brighter future.
JIM,
Sales Account Manager
Meet Jim. In 2014, he graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Horticulture, specializing in Sustainable Agriculture. He was a Founding Member and President of the URI Agriculture Club, and served as Secretary of the university's chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
He began his career working at vegetable farms and plant nurseries, he then ventured into the legal cannabis industry, making his mark as one of the first Cultivation Facility Managers in Rhode Island at a medical marijuana dispensary
Building upon his expertise, Jim’s most recent role was that of East Coast District Sales Manager at a leading horticultural lighting manufacturer. He advised hydroponic store owners, home growers, and commercial cannabis cultivators on the applications of artificial lighting for optimal cultivation.
Beyond his work as a wholesale account manager, Jim and his wife, Cassidy, operate a small vegetable farm, Frontier Farm in Westerly, Rhode Island. In his leisure time, Jim enjoys photography, floating around on ponds, tending to his landscape, and crafting fermented beverages to share with friends and colleagues.
RANDY,
Co-Owner & Financial Advisor
Randy brings a wealth of business knowledge and passion from his 30+ years working with multiple Fortune 500 companies where he focused on their Customer Management Services and Global Operations. His trademark is creating strong partner relationships with a high degree of commitment and transparency while working collaboratively with his customers and teams to produce Best-in-Class services to the marketplace.
Randy will advise the Lovewell team on leading business practices to ensure continued growth of the operation which is focused on its farming commitments and strategy to produce and market top tier high quality CBD rich products and services to Lovewell Consumers, Dispensaries and Retailers. Randy is a U.S. Navy Veteran who served 6 years in a Naval Aviation Squadron. Lovewell Farms is committed to our Veterans, their rights and needs.
MAGGIE,
Adviser
Maggie’s career in real estate and property management has given Lovewell Farms a significant resource for guidance on its operational practices and directives. Maggie also leads our Corporate Social Commitment (CSR), which drives our commitment to be socially accountable — to ourselves, our consumers, and the public. She believes by practicing corporate social responsibility, also called corporate citizenship, Lovewell Farms can be conscious of the kind of impact we are having on all aspects of society including economic, health, social, and environmental.
To engage in CSR means that, in the normal course of business, Lovewell Farms is committed to operating in ways that enhance society and the environment, instead of contributing negatively to them. Maggie is also a U.S. Navy Veteran and she was one of the 1st women to work on the flight line!
CASEY,
Sales Account Manager
Meet Casey, a dynamic individual deeply immersed in the cannabis industry across various segments. With a strong foundation in business education, Casey's journey began during her MBA studies at Monmouth University, where she undertook a groundbreaking independent study on the cannabis industry. Her initial foray into the industry took her to the vibrant cannabis landscape of California, where she honed her skills in a well-established market.
Seamlessly transitioning between diverse roles, Casey amassed a wealth of knowledge that she eagerly brought back to the East Coast, determined to share her expertise. Casey's experience encompasses a wide range of impactful endeavors, including providing valuable guidance to small black market cultivators aspiring to navigate the regulated scene and legitimize their businesses. Spending considerable time on farms, she immersed herself in the world of cultivation, meticulously studying optimal practices and gaining invaluable insights into the ideal growing conditions.
Additionally, Casey flourished while working with a prominent vertically integrated company, assuming a pivotal role in managing B2B sales across the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay region. Beyond her remarkable accomplishments in the cannabis realm, Casey's passion for athletics shines through as a retired Division 1 pole vaulter from Monmouth University. Remaining deeply engaged in the world of track and field, she selflessly imparts her knowledge as a coach to aspiring student-athletes at the University of Rhode Island.
During her leisure time, Casey indulges in a diverse array of activities that reflect her zest for life. Whether she's surfing, finding serenity through yoga, painting or nurturing her flourishing garden, Casey constantly seeks new avenues for personal growth and creative expression.
