PHOENIX -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Harvest Enterprises Inc., a vertically integrated cannabis company with permits and licenses in 10 U.S. states, announced the appointment of Elroy Sailor, the co-founder, CEO and Managing Partner of the Watts Partners, one of the largest African American-owned government relations firms in Washington, D.C., and Mark Barnard, an entrepreneur, advisor, retail and fast-moving consumer goods leader, to its Board of Directors.
"Elroy’s decades of government relations experience at the highest levels and Mark’s innovative food and beverage, consumer goods, retail and entrepreneurial background will bring a tremendous amount of value and insight to our company," said Harvest Enterprises Inc. CEO Steve White. “We are thrilled to be able to work closely with both Elroy and Mark at such an exciting time for the cannabis industry, our company, patients and consumers. We look forward to working with them to create more value-added customer experiences that drive growth for our company, particularly as we look to expand our presence in new opportunistic markets.”
As founder, CEO and managing partner, Elroy Sailor has helped build one of the largest African American-owned government relations firms in Washington, D.C. Elroy is responsible for the day-to-day management and strategic direction of the The Watts Partners, a multi-industry, full service government affairs firm that focuses on the emerging marketplace both domestically and internationally. The firm represents a broad range of clients such as NASCAR, Wells Fargo, John Deere, the Republic of Senegal, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and a myriad of small businesses. The firm also specializes in maneuvering through the federal government maze and procuring government grants and appropriations at the federal level to help small companies secure private and government procurement opportunities.
Prior to co-founding and becoming CEO and managing partner of the Watts Partners, Elroy served in numerous capacities throughout the government at the federal and state levels. Sailor has served as the Director of Urban Affairs, for then-Michigan Governor John Engler, where he handled urban development matters. He also served as an advisor to then-U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham of Michigan, where he handled transportation, housing and economic development matters. Additionally, Elroy has extensive experience in international affairs and founded the Congressional Trade Aid Caucus, a congressional initiative aimed at increasing economic and cultural relations with African nations along with then-Congressman J.C. Watts.
Mark Barnard is the Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Group, an entrepreneurial, dynamic family of companies specializing in the import, distribution and marketing of beverages in South East Asia. Octopus Group’s extensive portfolio represents local and international brands that have a well-known provenance, heritage and history, and resonate with all trade and consumer sectors -- from high-end cocktail bars to local hawker centers. Established in 2002, Octopus Group responds with innovation and agility to an ever-changing market. As a result, its business continues to grow at a steady pace, spanning a full spectrum of services: world-class logistics and warehousing, outstanding infrastructure, sales and marketing expertise, wholesaler management, brand management and activation.
Prior to serving as Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Group, Mark served as: Unilever’s Senior Vice President for Asia, Africa, Middle East and Turkey; Vice President of Customer Marketing and Sales Strategy, Global Vice President for Walmart among other roles at the company; Value Creation Pte Ltd.’s Chief Value Creation Officer, advising and guiding the startup on penetration of target audiences and balancing the cost of a startup with the need to deliver a healthy and sustainable P&Ls; and Diageo PLC’s Global Executive Vice President, Commercial, a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer.
Barnard also serves as chairman of LIC's Board of Directors, an innovative frozen cocktail company that is shaking up the food and beverage market, as well as a non-executive director of CSB Engage, a supplier of dynamic tools and technology solutions that drive customer engagement.
About Harvest Enterprises Inc.
Harvest Enterprises Inc. (Harvest), is a consistently profitable, vertically integrated cannabis company with one of the largest footprints in the world. Harvest’s industry-leading cultivation, manufacturing, retail facilities, construction, real estate and technologies are backed by experienced, in-house finance, compliance, operations, real estate, human resources, marketing and legal teams, who have a proven and trusted track record in the cannabis industry. Harvest’s 250+ employees and established best practices are leveraged daily to consistently drive innovation and growth. Harvest continues to broaden its operations in the most productive and strategic markets while servicing patients, consumers and the cannabis industry at large. To learn more, please visit https://www.harvestinc.com/ or follow Harvest on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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