NASHVILLE – The Hemp Alliance of Tennessee (HAT) has appointed three new members to its Board of Directors, including Jacob Coy, a vice president and hemp banking specialist at First Citizens Bank; Rochelle Frazier, an executive assistant at the Tennessee General Assembly; and Kevin Schultz, co-founder and president of The 357 Company.
“We are thrilled to be adding valuable industry experts to our Board of Directors,” said Frederick Cawthon, president of HAT. “In order to create a thriving hemp industry in Tennessee, we need input from experts of various disciplines to add to the process.”
Jacob Coy is a vice president business banker and hemp banking specialist with First Citizens Bank. With a background in business lending, agricultural banking, international banking, treasury solutions, and hemp banking compliance, Coy has 9 years of experience in the financial services industry.
Rochelle Frazier is a legislative assistant with the Tennessee House of Representatives. With more than 20 years of experience in Tennessee’s legislature, Frazier has held an instrumental role in the legislative process. Her legislative experience led her to become a committed advocate for Tennessee’s hemp industry with the Tennessee Grower’s Coalition.
Kevin Schultz is the co-founder and president of 357 Hemp Logistics, a company specializing in hemp logistic solutions since 2019. In 2021, the company launched its 357 Kerbsyde division to provide a direct-to-consumer solution for vaporizers and e-cigs. Prior to co-founding 357 Hemp Logistics, Schultz served as vice president at Verano Holdings LLC and as director of wholesale at PharmaCann LLC, both vertically integrated cannabis operators.
Formed in 2020, HAT aims to fortify Tennessee’s network of hemp industry players. The trade association is led by a business-minded board of directors who represent a diverse cross-section of hemp interests that operate in Tennessee and serve states across the country. The group is dedicated to increasing industry momentum and aligning industry professionals around a common understanding and guidelines for growing, processing, selling and consuming quality hemp and hemp products.
The organization prioritizes sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture and seeks collaboration regionally with the United States and Tennessee Departments of Agriculture, farmers, industry partners, elected officials, and law enforcement to continue building a safe, ethical, and long-lasting hemp economy.
About the Hemp Alliance of Tennessee
Founded in 2020, The Hemp Alliance of Tennessee (HAT) is a 501c6 non-profit trade association centered around empowering and growing a thriving hemp industry in the state of Tennessee. The alliance works with its members to support hemp education and advocate for policies and standards of practice to enable a quality hemp industry. Information about the alliance can be found online at yourhat.org or on social media @hempalliancetn.Media Contact: Kathleen Grooms / [email protected]
