CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salveo Capital, an alternative investment firm specializing in the legalized cannabis space, today announced the formation of its Advisory Board comprised of a select group of professionals who will provide guidance to the firm on various strategic matters. Dr. Robert Flannery will serve as an agricultural advisor, Cory Issacson as a marketing advisor, Devin Liles as an industry advisor, and Thomas Mazarakis as a portfolio advisor.
“In today’s highly competitive investment space, particularly the cannabis market, which has recently experienced increased levels of growth and interest, it is critical to have experienced and knowledgeable advisors in place to ensure we are considering a variety of scenarios and making thoughtful decisions in our overall strategy,” said Jeffrey Howard, a Managing Partner at Salveo Capital. “In addition to their esteemed careers, Robby, Cory, Devin and Tom are fully aligned with our vision and goals for the evolution of Salveo, which we expect will translate well into their advisory roles. We look forward to collaborating with each of them and are sincerely appreciative for their commitment to the firm.”
“As we continue to seek methods to position Salveo to capitalize on strategic investment opportunities, we recognized the need to establish a well-rounded and deep advisory board,” said Michael Gruber, a Managing Partner at Salveo Capital. “Each of these individuals brings a variety different skills sets that we believe will help guide our investment strategy and operations to help us partner with quality companies and generate positive returns for our investors. It is an honor to welcome them to the Salveo family.”
Salveo Capital's primary investment focus is on high-growth, ancillary service providers to the cannabis industry - rather than more highly-regulated businesses that “touch the plant.” The firm is currently investing capital out of its first private equity fund (“Fund I”) and is targeting a $25 million close. Salveo is seeking to rapidly scale its platform with a goal of reaching $100 million of committed capital by 2019. Salveo Capital has completed nine investments thus far including PathogenDx, Flow Kana, Baker, Front Range Biosciences, Headset, Purissima, Hiku (formerly Tokyo Smoke), Treez and Wurk. Legalized cannabis is a $9 billion market in North America and, according to industry research, is expected to reach an estimated $22 billion by 2020. From an international perspective, various countries around the world including Canada, Australia, Germany and Spain are legalizing marijuana, while others including Israel and The Netherlands are permitting exportation.
Dr. Robert Flannery Biography
Dr.
Robert Flannery has a PhD in Plant Biology with an emphasis in
Environmental Horticulture and a specific expertise in hydroponic crop
optimization for cut-flower production from UC Davis. Dr. Flannery
served as Production Director of SPARC, a vertically integrated cannabis
growing and retailer based in San Francisco. During his time at SPARC,
Dr. Flannery oversaw the launch and management of five cultivation
sites, where he set up horticultural practices that are standard in
non-cannabis commercial grows, but are wholly absent in the cannabis
industry. Through his guidance and standard practices implementation,
crop production increased an average of 33% in total flower production.
Under Dr. Flannery’s guidance, the quality of cannabis at the many
cultivation sites he oversaw also increased. Dr. Flannery is the Founder
of Dr. Robb Farms, a California cannabis brand and cannabis cultivation
consulting and management company. He serves on the agriculture
committee for the California Cannabis Industry Association, has worked
with representatives on the Cannabis Commission at the California
Department of Food and Agriculture, and often lectures about cannabis
topics.
Cory Issacson Biography
With
decades of experience in media, marketing and advertising, Cory Isaacson
is an innovator and disruptor well known for cutting through traditional
marketing silos and creating new ways of connecting with consumers that
are changing the industry. After succeeding in key leadership roles at
notable agencies, such as Omnicom’s Radiate Group and EMI, Mr. Issacson
identified a need to reinvent the traditional agency model and partnered
with former Pepsi executive Aaron Walton and Earvin “Magic” Johnson to
bring a new agency vision to life. In 2005, Walton Isaacson, “The
Planet’s Most Interesting Agency,” was born. Mr. Isaacson is actively
involved in the development of the Walton Isaacson vision, client
strategy and brand creation. Mr. Isaacson’s entrepreneurial talents also
have extended to co-founding the fastest growing super premium tequila,
AVION. Mr. Issacson earned a BA in History from The University of
Wisconsin. He is a committee member for Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s
“Champions for Children”, SOS Children’s Village, and JDRF, in addition
to “Skate for Celiac.”
Devin Liles Biography
Devin
Liles is a cannabis industry pioneer with 15 years of industry
experience and expertise across business strategy, organizational and
business development, production optimization, facility design,
regulatory compliance, and executive leadership. After beginning his
career as an independent caregiver and grower cultivating in Northern
California, Mr. Liles co-developed one of Colorado’s premier
vertically-integrated cannabis companies, The Farm in Boulder. As Vice
President of Production and then Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Liles was
integral to The Farm’s growth from a small mom and pop shop to a
vertically-integrated 100-employee operation with multi-million dollar
annual revenues. He is now the founder and lead consultant at Canna
Foresight Advisors and a co-owner and senior analyst for AIMCanna, a
private capital management partnership purposed to deliver unparalleled
returns while advancing investments in human wellness and planetary
health. Mr. Liles earned a Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family
Counseling from Sonoma State University and a BA in Traditional Eastern
Arts from Naropa University.
Thomas Mazarakis Biography
Thomas
Mazarakis has over 18 years of Wall Street investment experience. Most
recently, Mr. Mazarakis served as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs
in London where he was head of the Fundamental Strategies Group, a
department of research analysts within the securities division's
multi-billion dollar equity and credit businesses. Earlier in his career
at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Mazarakis served as an Executive Director and led
the retail/consumer sector team. Prior to his tenure at Goldman Sachs,
Mr. Mazarakis spent two years at Citigroup in New York where he analyzed
high yield and distressed industrial companies within the credit
research department. Mr. Mazarakis received a Bachelor of Science in
Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University and a MBA from
the University of Michigan.
About Salveo Capital
Launched
in 2016, Salveo Capital is an alternative investment firm specializing
in the legalized cannabis space, particularly ancillary businesses.
Salveo Capital's approach is to bring an institutional quality
discipline to company vetting, investment structures and portfolio
management. The Firm is committed to shaping the early-stage, yet
rapidly growing, industry by providing funding and development to
companies with the will and vision to be the future faces of legalized
marijuana. As cannabis legalization spreads, Salveo Capital seeks to
build long term sustainable companies and support innovative
technologies, products and services to help address the unique
requirements of the industry. The firm is based in Northbrook, Illinois,
with vertical industry executives and cannabis operating advisors across
the country, including in the key markets of California and Colorado.
For more information, please visit www.salveocapital.com.
