National Hemp Partners

National Hemp PartnersNational Hemp PartnersNational Hemp Partners

National Hemp Partners

National Hemp PartnersNational Hemp PartnersNational Hemp Partners
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Bios

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Ian James

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Ian  James founded National Hemp Partners, a division of The Ideation Lab, LLC, and provides the Company's  strategic vision, and development leadership in mergers and  acquisitions, and analysis for the Company. Ian relies upon his 37 years  of expertise in heavily regulated industries to forge and maintain  successful and profitable business relationships. 

He  has raised roughly $100M in capital investment for various operations  since 2014. From 2018 through 2019, he helped spearhead a reverse  triangular merger with a sub-$90M Nasdaq company in which a vertical CBD  company, SanaMundi, sought to go public. The COVID-19 Pandemic  sidelined the "go public" plan. He currently serves as the Chairman of  the Board of a Hemp Genetic and Life Science Company in Colorado. In  this role, he is helping turn around the Company and return it to its  core business principles and focus. He is a leader in the Hemp industry  for his work on regulatory structures, labeling, and testing  requirements.

Believing  in strong alliances, he led The Ideation Lab and its Affiliated  Companies to become the first Hemp manufacturing companies to join the  National Association of Manufacturing.

In 2016, Politico Magazine named Ian one of the United States' most influential political thought leaders. 

Before National Hemp Partners, The Ideation Lab and SanaMundi, Ian ran a successful marketing and  advocacy firm that oversaw nearly 7 million signatures to place issues  before voters. At that time, his firm developed the blueprint to amend  the Ohio Constitution for casino gaming. He worked on various other  high-profile social justice and ballot issues, including protecting  voting rights, employment rights, and civil rights issues. 

He  also served in numerous governmental offices, and as a corporate  executive for Merv Griffin's Players International in Illinois,  Louisiana, Missouri, and Nevada. His knowledge of heavily regulated  industries and his ability to navigate corporate relations and public  advocacy allowed him to provide strategic guidance through countless  efforts, which led The Ohio Magazine to  acknowledge him as one of Ohio's "brightest political strategists."  Ian's extensive experience in branding and media relations were evident  on CBS and NBC Evening News, the Today Show, Rolling Stone Magazine, New York Times, LA Times, US News and World Reports, The Guardian, Time Magazine, Politico Magazine, and hundreds of other publications worldwide.

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Ed Wassom

Founder and Chief Operating Officer

 A senior executive with 20 years of experience developing and implementing vision and strategies in emerging markets, overseeing day-to-day operations, and driving revenue for companies ranging from start-ups to large public corporations. Broad global sales and marketing experience with the proven ability to capitalize on market analysis and assume bottom-line responsibility for strategic planning, pricing, market research, and forecasting. Talented at building mutually beneficial relationships with strategic business partners, industry leaders, colleagues, and employees. Excellent communication skills, combined with technical and business acumen, enhances the ability to present information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Sought-after public speaker invited to speak at several industry events, Universities, and trade shows. Ed is a creative and respectful leader with experience building and managing high-performing, cross-functional teams.

In addition to the Executive experience, Ed has spent the past five years launching and growing businesses in the hemp industry. Having grown up in Iowa, his knowledge of agriculture and farming has been applied to sourcing, developing, and monetizing various industrial hemp businesses. Ed has taken multiple companies from seed to and through complex bioscience applications and acquisition.

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Stephen Letourneau

Founder and Chief Brand Officer

Stephen  is leading the charge by directing The Ideation Lab’s Brand Portfolio.  Responsible for the ideation, creation, and development of brand ethos,  product development, and leading the strategy surrounding the launching  of and growth of the individual product lines. Aside from merchandising  for brands like RH, J Crew, and Kate Spade, his background in both Human  Resources and Operations give him the ability to connect and lead the  right people for the growth of the brand; while maintaining an intimate  knowledge of supply chain logistics to hit these targets on time.  Excited for the opportunity to take this passion across multiple  categories and build the first legitimate Cannabis lifestyle brand with  product lines acutely focused on the Canna-Curious, discerning luxury  Wellness consumer. 

As  a thought leader in the space, the Stephen has spoken at both intimate  gatherings for the press as well as with C-Suite panels to discuss the  global cannabis trend and how the different international market will  embrace and amplify the space.  Looking at each product with a focus on  unique end-user experience then reverse engineering that moment of  engagement back down to the ideation that will fill that need.

This  new and emerging market is looking for leadership that isn't focused on  the current landscape but for people that are looking towards what's  happening 3-5-10 years from now and setting the foundation for a brand  that will exceed those needs.

Stephen  is a Board member at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Board, a founding  member of the Franklin County Child Task Force, an avid endurance  athlete having completed 4x 70.3 Half Ironman, and a combined total of  more than 35 Full + Half marathons.  His primary joys are traveling and  spending time with his family and being the best uncle and godfather.  

"I find the harder I work, the luckier I am."

"Get the work done."

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