Cronos Group is an innovative global cannabinoid company
Committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos Group is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos Group’s diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach®, PEACE NATURALS®, Lord Jones®, Happy Dance® and PEACE+™.
Our management team comprises experts in their fields, with a goal to establish the most valuable international cannabis company. They are passionate, daring people, driven by quality and integrity, who are determined to write history, not read about it.
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Kurt Schmidt
Jeff Jacobson
Shannon Buggy
Bob Madore
Anna Shlimak
John Griese
Ran Gorelik
Kurt Schmidt
President & Chief Executive Officer
Global Leadership
Kurt Schmidt serves as Cronos Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Before joining the Company, Kurt served as director and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. from 2012 through 2016. Prior to joining Blue Buffalo, Kurt was Deputy Executive Vice President at Nestlé S.A., where he was responsible for the Nestlé Nutrition, including several science-oriented and heavily regulated businesses. He also served as a member of the Company’s Executive Committee. Kurt joined Nestlé in 2007 as part of its acquisition of Gerber Products from Novartis, where he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gerber Products Company from 2004 to 2007. Prior to Gerber, Kurt held a variety of leadership roles at Kraft Foods, Inc. Kurt currently serves on the Board of Campbell Soup Company. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago.
Mike GorensteinExecutive Chairman
Mike Gorenstein serves as Cronos Group’s Executive Chairman. In addition, Mr. Gorenstein is a Co-Founder and passive Member of Gotham Green Partners. Mr. Gorenstein is also a Non-Executive Director of Cronos Australia and sits on the Board of Directors for Natuera. Before joining the Company, Mr. Gorenstein was the Vice President and General Counsel at Alphabet Partners, LP, a New York City based multi-strategy investment management firm, focused on identifying mispriced assets across various industries, asset classes and geographies. Prior to Alphabet Partners, LP, he was a corporate attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions. Mr. Gorenstein graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School with a Juris Doctor, the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania with a certificate in Business Economics and Public Policy and the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science Business in Finance.
Kurt SchmidtPresident & Chief Executive OfficerGlobal
Kurt Schmidt serves as Cronos Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Before joining the Company, Kurt served as director and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. from 2012 through 2016. Prior to joining Blue Buffalo, Kurt was Deputy Executive Vice President at Nestlé S.A., where he was responsible for the Nestlé Nutrition, including several science-oriented and heavily regulated businesses. He also served as a member of the Company’s Executive Committee. Kurt joined Nestlé in 2007 as part of its acquisition of Gerber Products from Novartis, where he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gerber Products Company from 2004 to 2007. Prior to Gerber, Kurt held a variety of leadership roles at Kraft Foods, Inc. Kurt currently serves on the Board of Campbell Soup Company. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago.
Shannon BuggySenior Vice President, Global Head of PeopleGlobal
Shannon serves as the SVP, Global Head of People for Cronos Group where she leads HR strategy across the Company’s global operations. Prior to Cronos Group, Shannon was the Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources for Nielsen where she led HR strategy for Nielsen Media. With over 25 years of experience, Shannon has a proven track record of leading and managing global human resources teams and driving excellence in talent acquisition, development, retention, employee relations, compensation, benefits, talent management and labor relations. Shannon holds a certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from the HR Certification Institute. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management from the Pace University, Lubin School of Business.
Jeff JacobsonSenior Vice President, Head of Growth (North America)Regional
As Senior Vice President, Head of Growth, Jeff leads the Marketing, Innovation and Sales team in North America as well as the Consumer Insights and Data Analytics teams for Cronos Group’s global business. Jeff sets the strategy for our brands and is responsible for leading our global teams to help execute Cronos Group’s vision. Jeff previously served as Cronos Group’s General Manager of Canada and Europe. Before joining Cronos Group, Jeff founded a Toronto based marketing agency and successfully launched and licensed several innovative software products in the mobile industry. As a co-founder of Peace Naturals, Jeff’s expertise and experience in licensing and compliance, new business development, project management and resource management help Cronos Group lead in a variety of markets.
Anna ShlimakSenior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and StrategyGlobal
Anna is Cronos Group’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and strategy and is responsible for managing and directing the organization's internal and external communications, government affairs, corporate strategy and investor relations. Prior to joining Cronos Group, Anna was the Head of Investor Relations at Quest Partners LLC, a research-driven alternative investment firm. Anna was responsible for business development, investor reporting, marketing and communication initiatives for the fund. Previously, Anna held a range of diverse roles at the New York Stock Exchange in both the New York and London offices. Most recently, Anna was Head of Investor Relations within the Corporate Affairs Group, where she was responsible for managing relationships with investors and sell-side analysts and developing investor communications and reporting. She received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ran GorelikGeneral Manager, Cronos Israel, Cronos Group’s strategic joint venture with Kibbutz Gan ShmuelRegional
Ran is the General Manager of Cronos Israel, Cronos Group’s strategic joint venture with Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, an Israeli agricultural collective settlement, for the production, manufacture and global distribution of medical cannabis in Israel. As the General Manager of Cronos Israel, Ran is responsible for executing Cronos Israel’s strategy as it relates to its sales, marketing and manufacturing operations. Ran’s expertise and experience in licensing, compliance, new business development, project and resource management have helped Cronos Israel bring medical cannabis to the Israeli market under Cronos Group’s PEACE NATURALS™ brand. Prior to Cronos Israel, Ran had broad experience in both Israeli and international markets in the areas of high-tech, real estate, wellness and has served as a director at various companies. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineer from the New York Institute of Technology.
Bob MadoreChief Financial Officer
Bob Madore recently served as Chief Financial Officer of American Eagle Outfitters Inc. from 2016 to 2020. Prior to that, he served in a number of key financial and operational roles at Ralph Lauren Corporation beginning in 2004 through 2016, most recently as Chief Financial Officer from April 2015 to September 2016. Before joining Ralph Lauren, Bob was Chief Financial Officer for New York & Company from 2003 to 2004, and served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of FutureBrand, a division of McCann Erickson, from 2001 to 2003. Before that, he held various executive management positions at Nine West Group, Inc. from 1995 through 2000. Bob began his career in 1987 at Deloitte & Touche in audit services and worked in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice from 1993 until 1995. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science from Southern Connecticut State University.
John GrieseSenior Vice President Head of Operations (North America)
John Griese serves as Cronos Group’s Senior Vice President, Head of Operations in North America, where he oversees Cronos Group’s Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement and Quality teams. John has worked with several cannabis organizations streamlining processes and improving overall efficiencies. Before joining Cronos Group, John served as Chief Operating Officer of cannabis companies The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. and Creso Pharma Limited, respectively. John has spent the majority of his career in supply chain and operations with top consumer packaged goods organizations including PepsiCo, Inc., Nestlé S.A. and Sofina Foods Inc. John received an Honors Degree, Bachelor of Arts, from the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada.
Large_Logo_1_Cronos_Group.pngCronos Fermentation
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Cronos Fermentation is a GMP-standard fermentation and manufacturing facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The state-of-the-art facility includes fully equipped laboratories covering microbiology, organic and analytical chemistry, quality control and method development as well as two large-scale microbial fermentation production areas, three downstream processing plants, and bulk product and packaging capabilities. The facility is expected to provide the fermentation and manufacturing capabilities we need in order to capitalize on the progress underway with Ginkgo, by enabling us to produce the target cannabinoids contemplated under the Ginkgo Collaboration Agreement at commercial scale with high quality and high purity.
3_Cronos_Fermentation_opt.jpg1technionogbcLarge_Logo_3_OGBC.pngOkanagan Valley, British Columbia
Original BC is a license holder under the Canadian Cannabis Act and is located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Known for producing some of Canada’s best cannabis, this facility leverages the reputation of the Okanagan Valley. OGBC is focused on small-batch and craft cannabis production, perfected by our team of experts.
Main_Image_3_OGBC.jpg2cfpnLarge_Logo_2_Peace_Naturals.pngStayner, Ontario
Cronos Group’s center of excellence, Peace Naturals Campus, is a license holder under the Canadian Cannabis Act and a hub for the company’s production and research and development. The campus’ state-of-the-art indoor production facilities and manufacturing facilities serve as a home for research and development in plant genetics, grow methodologies, extraction and product formulation. Peace Naturals develops industry-leading best practices, which are utilized throughout Cronos Group’s global network of production facilities. Peace Naturals production processes are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified.2_Peace_Naturals.jpg3ogbcredwoodhttps://www.peacenaturals.com/Large_Logo_16_Redwood.pngLos Angeles, California
Redwood is a hemp-derived CBD brand and products platform headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Redwood oversees Cronos Group’s operations, marketing and brand strategy for the U.S. hemp-derived CBD market. Redwood currently supports two hemp-derived CBD brands, Lord Jones™ and PEACE+™.
16Redwood.jpg4pncronos_growCoLarge_Logo_6_Cronos_GrowCo.pngKingsville, Canada
Cronos Group established a joint venture with a group of investors led by Bert Mucci, owner and operator of Mucci Farms, one of the most sophisticated greenhouse growers in North America. The Kingsville region is home to the largest concentration of greenhouses in North America and is commonly referred to as the “Sun Parlor,” since the area boasts one of the warmest climates in Canada. Cronos GrowCo is in the process of constructing a custom-built greenhouse designed to meet GAP and GMP requirements.
Main_Image_6_Cronos_GrowCo.jpg5redwoodcronos_israelLarge_Logo_4_Cronos_Israel.pngGan Shmuel, Israel
Cronos Group established a joint venture with Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, a commercial kibbutz and food company. Gan Shmuel exports to 35 countries across Europe and Asia, through Gan Shmuel Foods Ltd., and has over 1,000 agriculturally skilled kibbutz members who live on-site. Commencement of operations in Israel is subject to receiving the appropriate final cannabis cultivation and production licenses from the Israeli Ministry of Health and the cultivation and manufacturing facilities are expected to become operational in phases during 2020.
6_Cronos_Israel.jpg6cronos_growComed_menLarge_Logo_8_MedMen.pngCanada
Cronos Group has established a joint venture with MedMen, one of the most recognized cannabis retail brands, to create MedMen Canada. This partnership holds the exclusive license to the MedMen™ brand in Canada.
Main_Image_8_MedMen.jpg7cronos_israelnatuera_newnatuera_new.pngCundinamarca, Colombia
Cronos Group established a joint venture with Agroidea (AGI) to create NatuEra, the cannabis industry’s first Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) in LATAM. As a CMO, NatuEra intends to allow the growing number of cannabis brands worldwide to outsource their development, cultivation, and/or manufacturing activities. NatuEra is expected to be the hub and platform through which Cronos Group will access the Latin American market. NatuEra holds licenses to cultivate non-psychoactive cannabis plants and manufacture derivative products, including for export. Construction of the GMP-standard facility has commenced, and construction is anticipated to be completed in 2020, subject to obtaining the relevant permits and other customary approvals.
natuera_bg.jpg8med_mencdlhttps://natuera.com/Large_Logo_1_Cronos_Group.pngCronos Research Labs
Bet Shemesh, Israel
Cronos Research Labs is Cronos Group’s Israel-based global research and development center for innovation. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced technology and analytical testing infrastructure and is home to an experienced team of scientific talent. The Cronos Research Labs team is comprised of scientific researchers, mechanical, electrical and software engineers, and analytical and formulation scientists. Cronos Group engages in both understanding the fundamental science behind the interactions of cannabinoids with each other and how those interactions can be leveraged to best deliver on the consumer’s needs.
5_Cronos_Device_Labs_opt.jpg9natuera_newginkgo_bioworksLarge_Logo_13_GinkgoBioworks.png
Cronos Group entered into a landmark partnership to produce cultured cannabinoids at scale with Ginkgo Bioworks. Using biosynthesis as the means of production, Cronos Group and Ginkgo Bioworks will reduce the cost of pure cannabinoid production, create commercial scale and the ability to access rare cannabinoids, which are key to product differentiation and innovation. Cronos Group will have the exclusive right to use and commercialize the key patented intellectual property related to the production of the target cannabinoids perpetually and globally.
Main_Image_13_GinkgoBioworks.jpg10cdltechnionhttps://www.ginkgobioworks.com/Large_Logo_12_Technion.pngHaifa, Israel
Together with The Technion Research and Development Foundation, Cronos Group will explore the use of cannabinoids in regulating skin health and skin disorders. The research will utilize Technion’s cannabis strain database of over 80 cultivars and Cronos Group’s strain-specific cannabis oils to isolate and investigate the effects of individual and combinations of cannabinoids, for treatment of acne, psoriasis, and skin repair.
Main_Image_12_Technion.jpg11ginkgo_bioworkscfhttps://www.technion.ac.il/en/home-2/
Kurt Schmidt
Jeff Jacobson
Shannon Buggy
Bob Madore
Anna Shlimak
John Griese
Ran Gorelik
