Capitol Conversations: Hemp Advocacy Day

Jeremiah Mosteller is an attorney and policy director at Americans for Prosperity. Mosteller leads a team of policy experts focusing on policies that advance limited government, public safety, border security, free speech, and national security in all 50 states and Congress. He also serves on the boards of multiple non-profit organizations that are committed to these same principles.

Ken Meyer earned his Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University and built a successful legal career in Mississippi and S.D., culminating in his election as State’s Attorney of Lake County. In 2013, he returned to the family business, A.H. Meyer and Sons, where he now drives business development for its Complete Hemp Processing subsidiary, focusing on contracting hemp fiber bales and marketing hemp hurd and bast fiber. Along with being active on the South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association board, Ken is active lobbying for industrial hemp on the state and national level. He is a leader in the expanding hemp industry and endeavors to solidify the next generation of agricultural industry pioneers.

Denise Faltischek is the Chief Strategy Officer and Head of M&A for Tilray Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: TLRY, TSX: TLRY).  In her current role, Ms. Faltischek is responsible for the development and implementation of Tilray’s overall corporate strategy, partnerships, strategic investments and acquisitions, as well as Tilray’s growth strategies across 20 countries, including the U.S.  As a leader in the global cannabis industry, Denise has played an integral role in Tilray’s global expansion providing strategic counsel to business advocates and regulators in emerging markets relating to drug policy and responsible cannabis reform and regulations across medical markets.

Until its reverse acquisition of Tilray, she served as the Chief Strategy Officer of Aphria Inc., where she led the Company’s global strategy, a pivotal role in transforming Aphria into a global cannabis leader. An executive with extensive consumer-packaged goods experience, Ms. Faltischek also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), a leading organic and natural products company with $4 billion in net sales and operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. At Hain Celestial, Ms. Faltischek led the successful completion of more than 50 acquisitions and strategic transactions. 

Ms. Faltischek graduated Lehigh University in 1995 with a B.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience and Brooklyn Law School in 2000.  She is a founding member of the Brooklyn Law School Women’s Leadership Network, which brings together distinguished graduates of the Law School to support and mentor women in the law, facilitate networking, and promote career success.

Sean Kelly is Executive VP of Operations and Marketing for ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. ABC is one of the nation's leading family owned and operated alcohol beverage retailers with 126 stores. His role also includes the direction of eCommerce, communications, and public affairs. 

Prior to joining ABC, he consulted for various national and statewide associations and restaurant companies. Before moving to Orlando, he served as Regional Communications Director and Senior Media Relations Manager for Pepco Holdings, Inc., a power distribution company in Washington, D.C. He directed national and regional media strategies. 

His early career was in television journalism where he won numerous Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards in Boston for writing, broadcasting and investigative reporting. 

He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and Villanova University.

Justin Ashby is the Chief Administrative Officer at Southern Crown Partners in Charleston, South Carolina. With over two decades of experience, he is a seasoned veteran in the beverage alcohol industry, having worked on both the supplier and wholesale sides. 

Before joining Southern Crown, Ashby's career began in revenue management and sales analytics. This background has been key to his success at Southern Crown, where he has been instrumental in expanding the company’s analytic and technology capabilities. 

More recently, Ashby has become a vocal advocate for alcohol like regulation for hemp-derived consumable products.