Lowell Farms named Summer Frein and Ann Lawrence to its board of directors.
The appointments come in the wake of Stephanie Harkess and Bruce Gates departing Lowell’s board. Gates will continue to serve the board as an observer, according to a release.
Both Frein and Lawrence will begin their tenures effective immediately.
“In our search to fill the openings on our board, we immediately identified Summer and Ann as two of the most accomplished and forward-thinking executives in our industry, with unmatched insight into California’s cannabis economy and informed ideas that will ensure Lowell Farms can grow responsibly in our home state and beyond,” said George Allen, chairman of the board at Lowell Farms. “With these new additions, we are well-positioned to continue developing the best-in-class original products for our customers while working behind the scenes to achieve greater transparency and fairness in this tightly regulated market.
“We want to thank Stephanie and Bruce for their invaluable contributions to Lowell Farms over the years,” Allen added. “We are incredibly grateful to them for helping us achieve and maintain our position in the market, and we wish them both the best in their future pursuits.”
Frein currently serves as chief marketing officer at Turning Point Brands, a manufacturer and distributor of branded consumer products, including alternative smoking accessories and consumables. Before that, she served in various leadership roles across 15 years at both Cronos Group, where she was general manager, and Altria Group, where she led the company’s Strategy and Business Development Group. Her experience includes brand management, marketing services, consumer insights and more.
“Lowell Farms’ continued success in this ultra-competitive industry is a testament to its leadership, and it is an honor to serve alongside Mr. Allen and the rest of the board,” Frein said. “I look forward to contributing my expertise and perspective, as I am confident the company has its brightest and best days ahead, with new markets to enter and new customers to reach.”
Lawrence currently serves as co-founder and CEO of a collection of California cannabis distribution companies and two retail dispensaries, The Rose Collective and The Farmacy Westwood, both of which are long-term Lowell Farms customers, according to the release. Her experience includes leadership in branding, cultivation, distribution, manufacturing and retail. She also has helped build retail dispensaries in Los Angeles.
“As an industry leader, Lowell Farms is meeting the moment and embracing its role as a catalyst for change,” Lawrence said. “There is much work to be done when confronting the challenges posed by overregulation and outdated perceptions of cannabis, so it’s an honor to serve on this board and seize the opportunity to play an active role in the company’s ongoing success.”
