Election 2022-2023

Candidates

President Candidate:


Ray Kaderli

New Braunfels, TX

Background

I find myself in the hemp building industry as three of my career paths have merged into one. These are education, stewardship, and real estate. I have always enjoyed sharing ideas and telling stories. I enjoyed performing on stage in theatre, but I especially enjoyed public speaking and being called upon to share ideas. I obtained my bachelors in speech communication from Texas State University. Sharing ideas and discovering opportunities lead me to initiate an entrepreneurial effort in starting my own business. This business focused on stewardship of natural resources through the operation of a large-scale regional recycling facility for green waste that we turned into mulch, compost, and soil blends. I would often speak at garden clubs, and conduct workshops about backyard composting. Shortly after selling my business to a larger corporation, I served as the president of the Texas Compost Council. This was a newly formed organization similar to the USHBA in it’s effort to raise awareness and grow an industry. This was a success and I take great joy in seeing those efforts still in action in the industry today. In starting, operating, and selling a business I learned the key role of real estate in business and as an investment. I enjoyed pursuing it as a career path, and as a means to invest for the future of my family. This real estate investment focus has lead me to the opportunity to build homes with sustainable materials and practices that I can hold as an investment. I have scaled this opportunity to be available to many investors and therefore I can scale my building effort to large impact-oriented scenarios. One of the key innovations in my effort to build sustainable homes is the use of hemp as a building material. This brings me full circle to again enjoy invitations to speak, conduct workshops and share ideas in an industry that has captured my passion, building with hemp.

How I can contribute

There are two primary contributions that I feel that I can make. These are sharing the story about the benefits of building with hemp, and collaborating with professionals in order to grow this emerging industry. Awareness is still the number one hurdle in the growth of the hemp building industry. Because of my activity in building, I am frequently called upon to share via workshops, speaking engagements, podcasts, webinars and consultations. I enjoy doing so especially in a way that specifically addresses the target audience whether individuals on a personal level all the way to professionals, government, and industry leaders. Once awareness is achieved these people and entities need to be shown a path to make building with hemp possible for whatever role they play.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

I am interested in serving as USHBA President because I am active in building with hemp, and I am passionate about the benefits of healthy homes, and a healthy planet through the use of this quality construction material. Because of my active role in building with hemp and educating about my experiences, I have found myself in a leadership position in many circumstances representing the industry.

As an industry leader, I am passionate about sharing and collaborating with others in such a way as to move the industry forward. As a society we don’t share that better health with each other and the planet without the widespread adoption of hemp as a building material. For these reasons I have chosen to lead. With the consideration of the membership, I would be honored to serve as president of the USHBA.

Vice President Candidate:

Ryan Doherty

Boulder, CO

Background

Previous Supply Chain Committee Chair and currently the interim VP of USHBA. CEO of Hemp Ventures and involved in US Hemp Supply Chain activities.

How I can contribute

Relevant supply chain knowledge and industry connections. Assistance building out member benefits and material testing protocol.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

Continue advancing the goals of the US Hemp Building industry and provide more resources to those looking to enter the space.

Secretary Candidates:


Chelsey Keyes

Kodak, TN

Background

Realtor who is passionate about seeing change in the building industry.

How I can contribute

Administrative skills, outgoing spirit, organization, some connections, and dedication.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

To help see through the necessary organization to be taken seriously as we move forward to change the building industry for the better. We have so many things going for us with upcoming government regulations and programs, that we just need the follow-through and continued momentum through change to see Hemp become the standard in building!


Jean Lotus

Fort Collins, CO

Background

I’m trained as a journalist and investigator with a side interest in building science. I publish www.hempbuildmag.com, an online trade publication for the hemp building industry. I also publish the Hemp Building Directory: Guide to the International Hemp Building Industry, which lists more than 300 companies internationally in 25 categories in 26 countries. I recently started a company to bring a hemp-based ignition-resistant cladding to market through a Department of Energy incubator at the Berkeley National Labs. I’m also a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.

How I can contribute

I am currently serving as acting secretary of the USHBA. I am asking for your vote to continue in that role. I have started a membership drive through my magazine and have grown our membership lists already. I’d like to be able to continue that work.

Now that I am working on an actual hemp-building product, I am even more in tune with the value hemp businesses are going to need from our professional organization. I am a proven membership builder and I have a good overall understanding of the industry, thanks to my work on the directory. I am committed to building this organization to give the best value for our membership and help the world understand and embrace hemp building as the green solution it is.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

The USHBA has meant so much in my journey to learn about and report accurately on the US hemp building industry. I am so impressed by this tiny-but-mighty organization and how much quality work has been done, particularly achieving certification in the International Residential Code. This amazing feat was achieved via hundreds of volunteer hours.

But our membership is MUCH too small. Volunteers cannot be exploited and burned out to do the important work needed by this organization. We need to build our membership to have the budget to give value to members.

We are the active face of hemp building for the multi-billion dollar US construction industry. We offer the solutions the building industry seeks — we just need to come to their attention.

Treasurer Candidate:


Michael Knight

Charleston, SC

Background

Diversified accounting professional with a strong background in development, leadership and analytic skills. Founder of The Hemp Accountant- Remote accounting practice prioritizing clients in the Marijuana/CBD/Industrial Hemp Space

How I can contribute

Monthly accounting preparation and oversight

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

To support the mission of USHBA with accounting expertise

Board Member At-Large  Vote for 3

 

Matthew Bruce

Hackettstown, NJ

Background

– Matthew owns and operates the New Jersey Based hemp brand, Herbal Vybzz, LLC.

– Matthew owns the New Jersey based cannabis brand, Herbal Vybz, LLC pending a cultivation license in the state.

– Herbal Vybzz, LLC currently produces raw unfinished hemp materials and finished products including hemp flower, sublingual tinctures, biomass and is currently working on a hempcrete formula to tap into the construction and industrial hemp industry in New Jersey. New Jersey is proof of concept for expansion to cannabis and the industrial hemp operations below.

– Matthew is the Regional Leader for Region 9 in the United States Hemp Building Association. He is aiming to become a Regional Director in this association. With over 200 members and over 100 acres of industrial hemp planted each year, he is responsible for introducing, educating on and implementing hempcrete into code and communities in the following region 9 states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.

– Matthew is the CEO of The Hemp Farmers Association of Guyana. With over 50 members and access to over 1000 acres, We are working directly with the government of Guyana to steer the hemp industry in the most successful direction. – Matthew is also a telecommunications consultant who spends his spare time on programs for the women and children in developing countries. With some of the proceeds of his profit making endeavors, he is able to fund programs that are devoted to providing hope and advancement. He is also a trustee for a charitable remainder uni trust that will fund overseas health related projects. As apparent, Matthew has a passion for technology, herbs and traveling the globe!

How I can contribute

I can contribute research and development. My goal is to develop this association and to have this organization become a tool that we can use on an international level. Anytime I use the name United States Hemp Building Association, people are very impressed. It is my job to maintain that name and make it more bold.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

I am interested in Serving as a USBA/USBF Board Member because I am passionate about hemp and its many industrial uses. I have been a Regional leader for the past few months and I’ve noticed a big gap in between the members and the executive body. After becoming a board member, I plan to bridge this gap and provide a more efficient line of communication. This is for the betterment of our communities. I have already began my outreach efforts in the introduction of hempcrete by becoming regional 9 leader, initiating a hempcrete training for myself and another member within my region, and expanding my revolution by going international with my hempcrete efforts.


Alex Escher

Dorset VT

Background

Alex is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hemp Hollow Processing, a mobile trimming and bucking service for smokable hemp flower that serves as a trusted partner to clients in Vermont and New York State.

He also serves as the Director of Hemp Development at Escher Design, a regional leader of the US Hemp Building Association, (USHBA) where Alex spearheads the firm’s initiative to drive the implementation and utilization of hempcrete as a mainstream material in the US construction sector, while working with the USHBA on developing the ASTM testing standards.

Alex and the firm received national attention by building the first permitted hempcrete structure in Denver, Colorado. An established veteran in the Cannabis industry, Alex draws on his substantial experience working on the cutting edge of the hemp sector to develop an innovative, cost-efficient trimming and bucking process while also accelerating the growth and acceptance of the industry.

In addition to his numerous roles, Alex speaks nationally to advocate hemp’s impact on bio-regional economics at business expos and universities which include the NOCO Hemp Expo, the University of Vermont Extension, Rutgers University, and Yestermorrow Design/Build School.

How I can contribute

As a member of the board I can bring a portfolio of skills and connections to the table including:

-Building a USHBA hempcrete certification course that can be deployed throughout the country.

-Expanding the organizations membership growth through speaking engagements and university outreach. -Deepen connections with partner organizations such as the ASTM and Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance.

-Assisting and managing the organizations effort to get the ICC codes adopted by each state.

– Bringing 5 years of business and marketing wisdom building hemp based companies. .

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

I have been a long time and active member of the USHBA since the organization’s inception, and feel I can be of unique service in helping achieve the present and future goals.


Nathaniel Hicks, Jr.

Baltimore, MD

Background

I am VP of Cannas Capital, a national commercial lines insurance firm, focusing on the cannabis and hemp vertical industries. I am a former lobbyist and President of Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association, a non-profit geared towards patient’s rights and resources. Currently I head the Maryland Chapter of Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana as Director and Board Advisor of Piedmont Hemp Company.

How I can contribute

My skill set lies in the knowledge of the insurance industry, social equity and diversity. My network and national ties are social capital. Proficient in disseminating policy awareness.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

 The reason I want to now be on the Board of USHBA is a twofold answer. Firstly, I so deeply believe in the many benefits the application of industrial hemp infustracture being back into the fabric of global way of life and want to be a part of that process. S

econdly, as a state director of Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana, a national 501c3, our mission is to advance minority participation in the cannabis and hemp industry. By offering input as to issues minority farmers and business owners are faced with in the formation of the national supply chain, the industry on a whole can benefit with its solutions. 


Micaela Isabel Machado

Tucson, AZ

Background

My background starts with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts which I used to get a job carving and painting cement to look like naturalistic landscapes. The recession led me to return to school for my Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture where I really got into sustainable design in my beloved desert. Sustainable design, a love for nature and cannabis guided me towards Hemp! Once I took my first Hempitecture workshop in 2019, I knew I was in the right place at the right time. I’ve been obsessed with Hemp Building ever since. Since then, I’ve been as involved as I can be with USHBA and have passed my General Contractors Exam-so I’m licensed and building in Arizona.

How I can contribute

Real life Hemp building experience. I can come at from a contractor’s point of view, which I think could be helpful. I can contribute time and efforts in speaking or educating, or making videos for social media.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

I know part of my role in this industry is educating and spreading the good word about Hemp Building and USHBA is the essential in doing that. I feel like I can make more of an impact by joining forces.


Tai Olson

Chicago, IL

Background

I am the Director of Operations for US Heritage Group, where I oversee the manufacturing, supply chain and product development, as well as manage our educational and training programs. I have a BS in Civil Engineering with a MS in Engineering Management. I have over 10 years of experience working with hempcrete construction and have been involved in all stages of the hemp building process, including material manufacturing and supply chain, design, permitting, installation, and finishing. I have run training workshops for contractors, architects, and homeowners. I regularly participate in industry events, panels, and expos.

How I can contribute

I understand all stages of the hemp construction process, from material supply to design and permitting to installation and finishing. My long history with hempcrete can help multiple stakeholders enter the industry and avoid the pitfalls and errors that have derailed so many people and companies before. In over 10 years of working with hempcrete I have developed an extensive professional network that I can utilize to push hempcrete into the mainstream.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

The recent changes in the permitting of projects and availability of materials mean hempcrete is more accessible than ever. However, most individuals getting into the industry have incorrect or incomplete information on the way hempcrete works. The USHBA is the organization to guide newcomers to the industry and help existing members maintain the most current standards and best practices to develop hempcrete to its greatest potential.


Wayne Richman

Sherman Oaks, CA

Background

My background and experience includes being: USHBA Region 2 Leader, President of the California Hemp Association, Member of the SCoHO, did a stint in real estate, building apartments, commercial and industrial spaces. I’ve done quite a bit of remodeling of personal residences over the years.

How I can contribute

I produced the World AG Expo Hemp Exhibit 2022, which included a Hemp wall w/ Window, Hemp Herd by the Super Sack and examples of Hemp based building products. I’ve got a background in creating workshops as well. I’m producing the World AG Expo Hemp Exhibit 2023.

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

To continue my work to develop and industry, building healthy homes and a robust supply chain of hemp building materials and processes.


Alexander Sexsmith

Santa Fe, NM

Background

I’m an Architect, with a deep interest in bringing hempcrete further forward

How I can contribute

Professional expertise, and the perspective of an Architect interested in healthy buildings

Why I'm interested in serving as a Board member for USHBA

I believe I can offer more as a Board Member than my current role as a Regional Leader