Meet the People Behind Our Success

Shannon Soqui

Shannon has served as Next Frontier Brands’ Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors since our re-organization in April of 2020. Mr. Soqui previously was Chief Executive Officer of CMLM Holdings, Inc. from August 2018 to April 2020, which operated our U.S. operations. From January 2014 to August 2018, Mr Soqui was a cannabis investment banker, most recently the head of U.S. cannabis investment bank. While at Canaccord Genuity, Mr. Soqui advised most of the leading U.S. companies that completed a public offering in 2018. Prior to focusing his career on cannabis and hemp, Mr. Soqui was a technology investment banker in the U.S. from 1997 to 2013 with several leading global investment banking firms, including Credit Suisse, UBS, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

Prior to his career in investment banking, Mr. Soqui was a securities lawyer with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison and Gunderson Dettmer, and was a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG. Mr. Soqui has completed more than 100 financing transactions, including more than 25 initial public offerings, and more than 300 pages of cannabis investment research. Mr. Soqui received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from UC Santa Barbara in 1989, and J.D., magna cum laude, from the Santa Clara University School of Law in 1994.

Jason Roth

Jason has served as Next Frontier Brands Chief Strategy Officer and as a member of our board of directors since our reorganization in August 2020. Previously, Mr. Roth spearheaded the largest Series A raised in cannabis history for an up-and-coming CBD manufacturer. Under his leadership, the company’s value grew 6x in under 12 months, making it the largest CBD manufacturer in the world. Mr. Roth’s knowledge of the hemp industry, operational and sales experience, 25 year successful track record in fast-moving consumer packaged goods, as well as Chief Executive Officer experience, makes him well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.

Marc Graboyes

Marc Graboyes has served as our President and General Counsel since June 2020. Mr. Graboyes has over 24 years of executive management and legal experience with emerging growth companies in the consumer products, cannabis and life science industries, including deep experience in the areas of public & private financings, mergers & acquisitions, corporate strategy, commercial transactions, and general public company representation. Prior to joining us, Mr. Graboyes was Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Next Frontier Biosciences, Inc., a leader in the field of advanced formulation sciences for the cannabis industry. Next Frontier Biosciences developed the Verra Health line of CBD-infused micromist oral sprays and was acquired by Next Frontier Brands in August 2020. Prior to that, from March 2004 to September 2012, Mr. Graboyes served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel of Allos Therapeutics, a biotech company that he helped take public and sell for $195 million. Prior to that, Mr. Graboyes practiced corporate and securities law with Cooley LLP and several other national law firms. He graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Colorado School of Law and received his B.S. in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from the University of Colorado. In his spare time, Mr. Graboyes enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, golf, and spending time with family and friends.

Joseph Magnacca

As a member of Next Frontier’s Board of Directors, Magnacca will focus on applying his retail expertise to a global distribution strategy and implementation, as well as advising on brand acquisition and development efforts.

Art Massolo

Art is a highly accomplished Entrepreneur, Consultant, and Board Member with 25 years of success in cannabis, wine, craft beer, spirits, food & beverage, CPG, FMCG, distribution and retail. Art founded Viña Cono Sur and Viña Trivento and has sold millions of cases of products throughout his career.

Roiby Gonzalez

15+ Years of Brand Building Experience Including 8 years in the Cannabis Industry, Former Global Director of Marketing for Mile High Labs

Rich Turasky

28 year Executive Level Founder or Managing Principal of more than a dozen Operating Companies in the Investment, Finance, Brokerage, Asset Management, Plastic Manufacturing, Hospitality and Aviation Industries. Managing Partner of over 100 Private and Institutional Co-Investment Structured Commercial Real Estate Investment Properties along with more than $50M of Private Capital Investors and $200M of Institutional Investors. Completed multiple 9 figure Exits in the Private and Public Markets. Received numerous personal and business achievement awards including Business Ledger Entrepreneur of the Year. Charitable and Board involvement with such organizations as United Way, Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts, American Heart Association. Business association involvement with Vistage, SIOR, NAIOP Forum Attended Bradley University and graduated 1992. Post Graduate Classes at Harvard University

Joe Fryberger

Joe has over 20 years of documented success leading the accounting and finance functions for both private and public companies.  As a Senior Financial Executive with a versatile industry background in international manufacturing,  

Carrie Britton

Carrie has over 20 years of life sciences experience in global regulatory approvals and compliance, clinical development and operations, due diligence and integrations, quality systems, and organizational improvement. Mrs. Britton works with life sciences leaders leading cross-functional improvement initiatives with a focus on compliance and operational excellence across multiple divisions in global regions. Her expertise spans early product development thru commercialization of various therapeutic areas and products.

Danielle Grimley

Danielle joins our Team with a highly accomplished tenure in leading human capital strategy for Fortune 500 organizations in global consulting and in-house HR Leadership roles. Danielle will bring her experience in leading organizations through pivotal transformations, mergers, acquisitions and global expansion with a focus on talent strategy, culture cultivation and leading change management to drive Next Frontier Brands’ high performance.

Jake Black, PhD

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry From Yale University, B.S. In Chemistry From Villanova University, wrote Multiple Papers on Both Medicinal Chemistry and New Spectroscopic Methods.

Neil Luckianow

Seasoned Professional, with A Proven Track Record of Success In The CPG Industry, Experience in Sales, Product Promotion, and Trade Marketing.

Michael Hall-Taylor

Mr. Hall-Taylor has served as Next Frontier Brand’s Head of Asia-Pacific Operations since our Reorganization in August 2020. Mr. Hall-Taylor previously was the Asia-Pacific Managing Director for Mile High Labs, the world’s largest processor of hemp-derived CBD concentrates. Executive formed the APAC regional office from inception and was instrumental in developing significant business customers across the region. Prior to his focus in hemp-derived CBD, over the last 15 years, Mr. Hall-Taylor founded and has been the Chief Executive Officer for a number of different companies in the business development, sports agency and clothing industries. Over the years, Executive has successfully generated $100 million+ in revenue for brands such as the All Blacks, Manchester United, Emirates Team NZ (Americas Cup) and Red Bull. Mr. Hall-Taylor started his career in the early 1990’s at Gallaher Ltd, one of Europe’s leading tobacco companies, and was responsible for Benson and Hedges, a brand with annual European sales of over £4B at that time. From 1999 to 2005 he was the Marketing Director for the Jordan Formula 1 team, and was responsible for generating £150M per year in commercial revenue. Mr. Hall-Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nottingham University and a Master in Business Administration degree from Ashridge in the United Kingdom.

Dean Draper

Dean has served as Next Frontier Brands Managing Director of EU and UK since our Reorganization in August 2020. Mr. Draper is a specialist in building fast growing businesses in new and emerging markets. For 35 years, Mr. Draper has founded and developed successful innovative businesses, built highly successful sales teams and distribution networks in a number of competitive sectors: mobile communications, alcoholic drinks, energy drinks, packaged water, water dispensing equipment and commercial property. Dean was one of the founders of the Carphone Group plc, pioneering the development of mobile phones in the United Kingdom. With offices throughout the country, the business expanded exponentially growing into a £40M+ business within five years. Carphone was acquired by Cable & Wireless in 1989 and is now part of Vodafone. Dean then went on to found Fontana Drinks and developed water dispensers, bottled flavoured spring waters, and energy drinks in the United Kingdom and Europe. Fontana was sold to Crystal drinks in 2002. Mr. Draper was then recruited by Eddie Jordan to take over his loss-making range of energy and alcoholic drinks, marketed in association with Jordan Grand Prix.

Ryan Sowards

Ryan spent time early in his career at Red Bull North America and Glaceau Vitamin water working with the sharpest marketing minds in the beverage business.  Expanding upon his experiences, 

Alan Bottomley

Alan has had successful career in the process and engineering sectors for over 20 years. He has a vast experience in the Oil & Gas, heavy engineering and FMCG sectors working from site engineer to engineering manager. 

Amy Conyard

Amy started a career in the hospitality sector; focused on site management and training. After 3 years as a complex resolutions manager within the MPS sector, she formed Bottomley Distillers Ltd and launched the brands Pin Gin & Rum Cat subsequently, creating an award winning brand.

Rebecca Sutton

Rebecca was most recently the Operations Manager for the Asia-Pacific region of Mile High Labs, the world’s largest processor of hemp-derived CBD concentrates.

Susie Wiest

Susie joined CMLM Holdings, Inc. in July, 2019 and has continued her career in Corporate Administration at Next Frontier Brands. Her professional experience includes working in the Automotive, Computer Service, Insurance and Healthcare Industries. 

Steph Bruss

Steph is a marketing strategist with 12+ years of experience in global brand development in FMCG, beverage and cannabis industries. She has worked with brands like P&G, Chobani, ANZ Bank, Monster Energy and 1906 New Highs. 

Steve Cape, PhD

20 years of experience developing formulations of and processing technologies, B.S. in Chemical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.

Anthony Martinez

Mr. Martinez was most recently Regional Sales Manager at Mile High Labs. During his time at Mile High Labs he led his sales team to multiple growth revenue numbers month over month.

John Steiner

John has been working in the Food and Beverage industry for 15 years, with a focus on supply chain.  Mr. Steiner has experience with large and small companies from established global corporations to start-ups.  John enjoys bringing quality products to market that contribute to the overall health and enjoyment of consumers.  In his free time he likes to be out in the mountains and streams of the Rocky Mountain West.