WHO IS EMBER GARDENS?
THE CO-FOUNDERS
Introduction – Original co-founders reconnected in 2016 after the legalization of cannabis in Massachusetts. These long-time best friends from high school decided to combine their remarkably different backgrounds to begin building an organic craft cannabis company here in their home state. They joined forces and launched a company that focuses on quality, community, equity, science, and cannabis culture.
GEORGE FRIEDLANDER - Chief Cultivation Officer
From Fall River, MA, George has farmed cannabis and other traditional crops for over eight years in Washington, Oregon, and California. He has helped medical patients all over the US set up personal medical cannabis grows and overseen many large-scale cannabis operations as large as 300 acres in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Though he has used many different agricultural practices, he primarily cultivates using no-till, regenerative agricultural techniques that are not common amongst cannabis cultivators. Regenerative agricultural practices result in a truly organic and premium product. To date, this technique is scientifically proven to be the most ecologically conscious and holistic growing method and is also shown through data to produce some of the most clean and flavorful cannabis flowers.
George is a member of the Social Equity Program set up by the CCC. He strives to implement the core values of true equity within the industry and hopes to create opportunities for anyone seeking to be part of the flourishing industry here in Massachusetts. He is extremely passionate about the equity program and working towards correcting the wrongs of the War On Drugs. George has served time for cannabis distribution in multiple states and is looking forward to using his opportunity as a founder and owner of a Social Equity company to give back and support our local communities.
DAN GILLAN - Chief Operating Officer
From Andover, MA, Dan has worked extensively in the regulated cannabis industry in both California and Massachusetts for the past 6 years including Senior Management roles within large scale regulated operations in Massachusetts growing and managing teams of 40+ employees.
In 2013, Dan was hit by an SUV while riding his motorcycle which left him in critical condition with four broken vertebrae in his spine, a frontal lobe brain injury, and many other complications. One year later, Dan sold his studio business in Andover and travelled the US in an Airstream camper across 36 states and 13 national parks. In 2015, Dan finally landed on a few cannabis farms in Santa Cruz and Mendocino County, CA where he began to learn his craft and construct his dreams for the industry. He later went on to start a lab tested solventless extraction company which was on shelves in CA dispensaries. In 2017, Dan was recruited back home to Massachusetts where the industry started growing rapidly.
Cannabis has helped Dan entirely stop the use of all opioid and non-opioid pain medication which was originally assumed to be a life-long necessity due to the severe trauma to his body. Cannabis has been a huge part of Dan’s journey to healing from his injuries and a big part of the drive behind his passion for product development and for doing what is right in this industry. He has a proven track record in growing and running scaled cannabis operations, launching successful products and partnerships, and is also an expert in the strict compliance regulations of Massachusetts.
DESMOND HYDE - Vice President of Business Development
From Somerset, MA, Desmond is a cannabis advocate that has been working towards breaking into this industry since legislation in 2016. After graduating from his local community college, he dove into his passion for cannabis and business by joining his longtime friends and family to create Ember Gardens. As a member of the Social Equity Program, Desmond believes that the cannabis industry and Ember Gardens have a chance to help right the wrongs and give back to the same communities and people harmed by the terribly misguided War on Drugs.
SENIOR TEAM AND PARTNERS
JOSEPH HOFFMAN - Boston Assistant Retail Manager & Co-Owner of Ember Gardens Boston
Joseph was born and raised in Brighton, Massachusetts and graduated from “Another Course to College” in 2018. He continued to higher education at Bunker Hill Community College with a focus on Sports Medicine in 2019. Joseph, while attending college also worked at St. Elizabeth’s hospital, where he served as a patient transporter and saw first-hand patients given numerous pain medications only for those same medications to later in life serve as a gateway to addiction. This convinced him to further his understanding of cannabis and its healing properties. Joseph has always had a passion for the plant and wants to help change the narrative about the use of cannabis based on his own life experiences. Shane and Joseph met in 2010, through Joseph’s brother Danny – who was Shane’s college roommate. Always staying in touch, they connected on the Newbury Street opportunity and decided to go into business together.
AARON WASHINGTON - Chief Security Officer
Aaron joined the team in March 2019 as a 28-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police Force, serving 26 years within the state SWAT team, with the last 10 years as the SWAT team’s head. Aaron was also in the Massachusetts National Guard for 28 years, serving primarily as military police. Since retiring, Aaron has owned his own security company, dealing primarily with security details for VIPs. Aaron will be serving as our Chief Security Officer and will lend his vast experience to help Ember Gardens manage a secure location and develop, implement, and oversee robust security procedures.
THOMAS AUGUSTINE - Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Thomas Augustine grew up in Montclair, New Jersey where he graduated from high school in 2010. After graduating from high school Thomas completed his Bachelors of Science from University of Tampa. Since Thomas was a child, he felt the war on drugs, especially marijuana, has had horrible effects on the black community and done far more harm than good. By being a part of the legal cannabis trade, Thomas feels he will be able to help be a part of the solution in the black community. Thomas will be thoroughly involved with the day to day activities of Ember Gardens through his role as Diversity & Inclusion Manager.