The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) was founded in recognition of the need for an inclusive state trade association, designed to protect the industry and its customers, along its entire route to market: from the farmers who grow to the goods in a retailer’s portfolio, as well as the ultimate consumer of tomorrow.
As threats and opportunities continue to present themselves, Hometown Hero’s
experiences with litigation and legislation led them to the logical conclusion that a unified industry was essential to safeguarding hemp’s future in the Lone Star state.
In summary: THBC pledges to promote and benefit the hemp industry: not one segment over another- ultimately believing in consumer choice and free market principles.
Mission
To advance and secure the Texas hemp industry and stakeholders through engagement with policymakers via advocacy and education, ensuring a robust marketplace while prioritizing consumer protection.
Board of Directors
- Cynthia Cabrera: Board Member, Founder
Cynthia’s leadership in the emerging industries, like hemp, brings valuable knowledge to the board of THBC and its members. Cynthia is Chief Strategy Officer for Hometown Hero. Previously serving as executive director for the vape industry’s largest trade group from 2012-2016, she also serves on the Board of the distinguished Hemp Industry Association (HIA), as well as the Hemp Association of Louisiana, and the Tennessee Growers Coalition. Cynthia manages all Hometown Hero lobbyists and lawyers including the legal teams actively defending lawsuits in Arkansas and Texas where she has won injunctions protecting the hemp industry in both states.
- Curtis Chouteau: Board Member, Founder
Since 2016 Curtis has been an integral part of Hometown Hero, where he acquired expertise in roles ranging from sales and operations to legal and compliance, truly mastering the art of compliance. Most recently he has been working with Cynthia Cabrera assisting in her legal and legislative efforts. Curtis has a bachelor’s in business administration with a focus on project management from the University of St. Edwards in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in Texas, Curtis has a strong passion for protecting the cannabis industry in Texas and is an avid gardener with an interest in freeing plants to their full potential.
- Cody Fisher: Board Member
Cody Fisher is the co-founder of CBD Pros USA, LLC, Dreamz Cannabis, Brio
Brand, a beverage company, and the exclusive franchise partner of Cheech and
Chong’s Apothicaria. Cody also serves as co-board member of Texas Hemp
Business Council.
Mr. Fisher began his professional journey in 2011 when he joined Buckle Inc.’s
management development program. His leadership skills and genuine care for
people quickly earned him promotions, and he became the manager of several of the company’s top-performing stores. After several years of working for Buckle, Cody decided to invest in himself by starting his own business. In December 2018, he co-founded CBD PROS USA with his father John Fisher. He became the Chief Operating Officer in 2019 and led the company’s growth to 23 locations across Texas and Georgia.
From the success of CBD Pros USA, Cody with his father John then sought an
opportunity to break into the medical/adult use cannabis markets across the US, leading to founding of Dreamz Cannabis brand, a vertical cannabis operation based in New Mexico. In its first year, Cody oversaw the opening of 20
dispensaries and manufacturing facility, earning Dreamz a reputation for setting the highest quality standards and education in New Mexico. As COO, Cody’s daily responsibilities include both CBD Pros and Dreamz supervising and coordinating various aspects of a company operations.
- Andrea Sallis Daniels: Board Member
As the VP of Corporate Affairs for CBD Pros USA and Dreamz Cannabis, Andrea
streamlines the company’s business strategy, guides employees, and promotes
effective communication with external stakeholders. She directly manages
communications activities to enhance, promote, and protect the organization’s brand reputation, including creating strategic partnerships and developing marketing and public relations strategies. Andrea also represents the company in media interactions, prioritizes media opportunities, and delivers official statements and presentations.
Andrea is the founder of Healthway Education Systems, a medical accreditation
company specializing in medical cannabis education. She has been at the forefront of educating physicians, healthcare workers, and non-cannabis professionals on the efficacy of medical and adult-use cannabis and its governing policies at state and federal levels. Her vision, compliance experience, and partnerships have aimed to improve the quality of life for families globally.
Her direct experience in the cannabis industry includes co-founding Texas Hemp Harvesters (a501c6), serving as a Board Member of Green Harvest Health, and co-board member of the Texas Hemp Business Council.
As a founding member of the Women Grow Inc., Andrea has been a vocal advocate for disenfranchised demographics, responsible patient care, and creating healthy cannabis programs. Her industry expertise and advocacy have made her a sought-after speaker and she has been featured in various publications and media, including MG Magazine, iHeart Radio, and featured in the documentary Mary Janes: The Women of Weed.
- John Murray: Board Member
John Murray is the founder of Fire Holistics, LLC in Houston, TX, and serves as a founding board member of the Texas Hemp Business Council.
Fire Holistics, LLC is a startup hemp extraction company utilizing state-of-the-art supercritical CO2 extraction equipment to produce quality, clean crude, and distillate, and to utilize those products to produce hemp-based consumables such as gummies, shots, beverages, tinctures, etc.
Before getting involved in the cannabis and hemp space, Mr. Murray had careers working as a design engineer, Project Engineer, Project Manager, and Manager for two major oil companies, including managing a $1.1 billion offshore development project before becoming President of a manufacturing company in Houston for 21 years.
After retiring from manufacturing, he and his wife, Sheryl, a Registered Nurse, and retired hospital administrator, moved to a medical cannabis state, and spent several years researching the benefits of medical cannabis, due to his wife’s health conditions and doctor recommendations. He came out of retirement to become R&D Director for a vertically integrated cannabis company, and was involved in all aspects of the business, including cannabis extraction.
He and his wife are passionate about the benefits of cannabis and hemp for medical patients, and quality control: striving to produce the highest quality, pure hemp-based consumables. John and Sheryl are also passionate about educating the public about the benefits of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system.
- Hunter Schiro: Board Member
Hunter Schiro is the co-founder of Pioneer Farms, LLC, a pioneering enterprise in the hemp cultivation industry. Located on a 10-acre farm in Spring Branch, Texas, Pioneer Farms is dedicated to the innovative cultivation of hemp.
Before establishing Pioneer Farms, Hunter successfully grew several small businesses, turning them into thriving operations through strategic leadership and a deep understanding of market dynamics.
Hunter’s journey into the cannabis industry was preceded by an extensive legal
education. Hunter began his legal studies in 2015 at St. Mary’s University School of Law. While enrolled in law school, Hunter participated in the University’s international business transactions program in Innsbruck, Austria in 2016 and 2017.
In 2018, Hunter earned his Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University, obtained his mediator’s certification, and successfully passed the Texas Bar Exam, becoming a licensed attorney.
Although he is not currently practicing law, Hunter’s legal expertise gives him a unique advantage in navigating the complex landscape of cannabis legislation, ensuring that Pioneer Farms operates with full compliance and foresight in an evolving regulatory environment.
Hunter also provides consulting and regulatory advice to various other cannabis conglomerates to ensure they operate within the confounds of local, state, and federal statutory schemes.
In his spare time, Hunter loves to go on walks around the city with his wife and his two dogs, Ralphy and Pablo.