OUR LEADERSHIP

Scott Sparks spent 45 years in food service, with the last 30 years spent in food service sales management. His most recent food service position was as VP of Sales for Black River Produce, a local Vermont company bringing farm-to-table products to the marketplace. 

In 2017, after a major corporation purchased Black River Produce, which was no longer locally owned and driven, Scott decided to jump off a cliff and open a hemp store. In April 2018, that vision became Vermont Hempicurean, a retail and online business in Brattleboro, VT, offering locally grown and produced hemp products. 

In 2022, Scott moved Vermont Hempicurean out of downtown Brattleboro into a big red barn in West Brattleboro and expanded to include his new businesses, Vermont Grow Barn, selling cannabis grow supplies, and Vermont Bud Barn, offering legal cannabis. He also started a cultivation business called In The Weeds. 

Scott has "grown" with the hemp and cannabis marketplace in Vermont and looks forward to adding his input to the future of cannabis in Vermont.

Michelle brings a unique and heartfelt perspective to our organization, with her diverse background and dedication to our mission. Her journey from education to the cannabis industry, driven by personal experiences and a desire to make a positive impact, adds compassion and empathy to our board. Her commitment to supporting medical patients and driving philanthropic initiatives is evident in her actions, guiding us toward sustainable growth and meaningful community engagement. Michelle possesses expertise in the cannabis industry, including business management, cultivation, and compliance. Her passion for advocacy and patient-centered care complements her professional knowledge.

As a leader, Michelle demonstrates strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit, guided by a firm ethical compass. These qualities make her a valuable asset in shaping our strategic direction, enhancing fundraising efforts, and developing impactful programs. Michelle's ability to incorporate personal experiences and insights into her work ensures that our organization remains grounded in empathy and authenticity, leading to positive outcomes for all stakeholders. We are confident that her contributions will be instrumental in advancing our mission and achieving our goals.

Kate is a native Vermonter, lifelong cannabis advocate, and entrepreneur as the founder of Yellowbird, a tier-one cannabis company in Jericho. Before transitioning to the regulated market, Kate was an active participant in Vermont’s legacy cannabis scene, building a deep connection to the plant and community.

In addition to her cultivation experience, Kate has a strong background in customer relations and communication. As co-owner of Kate’s Food Truck with her husband, Jon, she has honed her business and leadership skills while building meaningful connections within the community.

Kate brings her passion, industry knowledge, and dedication to building a thriving, equitable cannabis market to her role on the board.

In her free time, she enjoys exploring Vermont’s outdoors with her dogs and horse, as well as attending live music events.

Born and raised in South Burlington, Vermont, Sam has always had a passion for agriculture and entrepreneurship.  After graduating from American University in 2017 with a degree in finance, Sam decided to return home and work at his family’s dairy farm in Alburg, Vermont. During this time Sam decided to grow 10 acres of hemp, beginning a journey that would lead to the creation of Sunset Lake CBD, a vertically integrated business crafting CBD products with hemp grown at the family farm. Sunset Lake CBD now sells CBD products to all 50 states, all while remaining true to its roots as a family farm, now located in South Hero. In 2022 Sam launched Sunset Lake Cannabis, another farming business designed to serve Vermont’s new recreational cannabis market. In 2023, Sam launched Lake Effect, a Cannabis dispensary in South Hero, Vermont.

Sam believes that Vermont’s small locally-owned businesses are what give our cannabis market such a unique character.  As a CRAV board member, Sam is working hard to preserve what makes Vermont’s cannabis market special, while also meeting with lawmakers and the Cannabis Control Board to develop policies that improve the market for licensees and consumers.

JB is a veteran of the advertising and marketing industry where he held leadership positions at USA TODAY, TV Guide online, Sports Illustrated Online, People.com, AccuWeather, MapQuest, and Live Nation.

His decades-long relationship with cannabis led him to combine this with his vocation. More recently, he has held positions at High Times, WeedStreetNow, and Flowershop Media, where he has activated Digital Media Campaigns for over 47 dispensaries and 6 brands throughout 7 States.

Currently, he is active with his own cannabis brand - Vermont Ski Shoppe. He and his wife, Suzie, run a boutique digital media company – Musical Bears. JB also serves on the boards of VT NORML and The Pennywise Foundation.

He and Suzie have lived in Burlington for over 10 years.

General Manager, Event Coordinator, and Co-Owner of Higher Elevation

Higher Elevation, the oldest and largest retail cannabis dispensary and heady glass shop in Lamoille County. Joining the company in 2022 as a budtender, she quickly demonstrated her exceptional skills and commitment, earning a promotion to Office Manager within a short period. After just one year, Hiata stepped into the role of General Manager, and at the three-year mark, she became a Co-Owner in recognition of her dedication and loyalty to the brand.

With a lifelong passion for cannabis, Hiata is driven by two primary goals: to destigmatize cannabis—particularly for medical patients and parents—and to develop a sustainable, responsible cannabis tourism industry in Vermont. Her diverse background in hospitality, retail, and experience within the craft beer and cheese sectors equips her with a unique perspective, further fueling her commitment to shaping an innovative, community-focused cannabis industry in her home state.