Meet our Board of Directors
ATACH Board of Directors
Erik Knutson, Executive Chairman , Keef Brands
Erik Knutson is a co-founder of Keef Brands and is currently the Executive Chairman of Keef. Mr. Knutson has nearly fifteen years of experience operating a wide variety of enterprises within the legal Cannabis markets. Over the years he has owned and operated multiple licensed manufacturing, cultivation and retail facilities. In addition to owned entities, Mr. Knutson has worked with dozens of licensed operators across the United States and internationally to help expand Keef Brands. Keef is currently licensed and/or manufactured in fifteen US States, Puerto Rico and Canada. In 2014, along with his bother Kelly Knutson, Mr. Knutson helped form Isolate Extraction Systems (“IES”). Since its founding, IES has placed over 200 industrial extraction machines across North America and has consulted with hundreds of companies to develop standard operational procedures surrounding the extraction and processing of cannabis.
In addition, he is a founding Board Member of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) and the United States Cannabis Council (USCC). He also sits on the Board of the Cannabis Beverage Association (CBA) and the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (“CABA”) Mr. Knutson holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Colorado.
Andy Williams, Medicine Man and Medicine Man Technologies
Andy Williams is the owner of Medicine Man, one of the largest dispensaries in Colorado. In December of 2009, Andy and his brother Pete launched Medicine Man with the concept of being the Costco of marijuana. Medicine Man is now one of the most recognized corporations in the industry and has branched out to assist start up marijuana companies and grow facilities across the country with their consulting company, Medicine Man Technologies. Andy is known as an industry leader and is one of the most influential CEOs in the entire industry.
Prior to founding Medicine Man, Andy served in the US Army for three years in the 3rd Infantry Division. He later went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Southern Colorado. Following this, Andy worked in a number of different manufacturing industries as an industrial engineer, and took on leadership positions at several of these companies.
Sean Knutsen, Boveda Inc.
Sean Knutsen serves as Boveda’s representative on the ATACH board. Boveda is the Global Leader in 2-way Humidity Control and one of the internationally best-known brands associated with the premium cigar industry. For over 20 years, Boveda’s award winning products have set standards in the packaging/production/distribution/storage of premium cigars, food, musical instruments, and medical devices. In 2011, with the release of cannabis-specific humidity levels for proper curing/storage, Boveda again raised the bar, creating untouchable standards of quality within the cannabis space.
One of six, original company founders, Sean was named President and CEO of Boveda in July, 1997, a position he has held for over 22 years. Utilizing his business and marketing background, Sean worked closely with the original product developers and other founders to successfully launch the business by defining and creating an entirely new category in active packaging: 2-way humidity control. Sean has been instrumental in building the company into the leader it is today, helping the company realize average year-over-year growth of more than 30% for the last 15 consecutive years. Sean graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Business Marketing and worked in sales before dedicating himself full-time to Boveda.
Rick Biesecker, Drug Plastics & Glass Company
Rick Biesecker is the President and CEO of Drug Plastics & Glass Company, a manufacturer of plastic packaging, primarily used for pharmaceutical, nutritional and human health oriented applications.The company was founded in Boyertown, PA in 1963. Today Drug Plastics is an industry leader in supplying primary packaging to the healthcare industry.
Biesecker has developed the enterprise into a company of six bottle factories, two closure factories, one mold company, and a research and development center. Biesecker remains driven by the passion and spirit of the company’s entrepreneurial history and its progressive vision and values.
Lissa Biesecker Longacre – President Drug Plastics & Glass Company
ATACH Industry Influencers Committee
Industry Influencers – Chair
Adolphus A. Busch V
Adolphus Busch is from St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Colorado in 2009. Adolphus has developed unparalleled expertise in the industry by working with some of the top brands – including BioTrack and Lightshade -to learn the ins and outs of the sector. Adolphus is currently helping build Keef Cola’s market place expansion and now focuses on key accounts and distribution. Adolphus has been a thoughtful advocate thinking through the end of prohibition, it’s historical meaning, and moving responsible industry forward. Adolphus graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Corporate Finance and Investment Analysis as well as a certificate in Entrepreneurship.
ATACH Ambassadors
ATACH Co-Founder and Lead Consultant
Michael Bronstein – President
Michael Bronstein is the cofounder and president of Bronstein & Weaver, Inc. – one of the country’s leading political media, strategic messaging, and government affairs firms. Michael has garnered national and international recognition for his strategy and has been named: a member of the “Dream Team” of American Political Consultants, a “Mover & Shaker” by Politics Magazine, a Campaigns & Elections Magazine’s Rising Star, a PA2010.com “Top Ten” political consultant, a “40 under 40” consultant by the American Association of Political Consultants, City & State Magazine’s “40 under 40,” and one of the 500 most “influential” political consultants in the country by Campaigns & Elections Magazine.
Michael has been a leading voice for the emerging cannabis industry promoting professionalization, standards, public and consumer safety, and marketplace expansion. Michael was recognized as the nation’s 45th “Most Important Political Influencer” on Cannabis Business Executive’s “Top 100” list.
Michael also serves as: a national executive board member of the Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Production, a executive member of ASTM International’s historic D37 cannabis standards committee, a campaign strategist for New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform, as well as a member of Florida’s United for Care policy committee. Prior to founding Bronstein & Weaver, Inc., Michael worked for the British Labour Party for Prime Minister Tony Blair’s reelection campaign, where he helped manage the design and creation of the Labour Party’s national media.
Michael earned his undergraduate degree in American Studies from Cornell University and attended the London School of Economics as a Hansard Scholar.