- Austin, TX
Who We Are
About Us
Get to know us
Built to Protect the Future of Hemp
The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) was founded to unify and protect all parts of the hemp industry in Texas from growers and producers to retailers and consumers.
- Support every stage of the supply chain
- Defend the industry through legislation and legal action
- Promote a free, fair market for all Texans
OUR MISSION
Advocacy. Unity. Consumer Trust.
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.
On This Page
Our Team
Board of Directors
Cynthia Cabrera - Board Member, Founder & President
Board Member, Founder
Cynthia Cabrera
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.
Mark Bordas - Board Member, Executive Director
Board Member
Mark Bordas
Mark Bordas serves as the Executive Director of the Texas Hemp Business Council, a nonprofit trade association focused on advancing and protecting hemp-derived cannabinoid products in the Lone Star state.
Bordas brings to the Texas Hemp Business Council more than 30 years of government affairs experience, serving clients in highly regulated industries such as alcohol, vaping, healthcare and tobacco. In addition to helping launch and grow a number of industry trade associations, Bordas has been instrumental in organizing and developing a wide range of successful state, and federal legislative and regulatory campaigns.
“Mark’s extensive background navigating complex regulatory landscapes, along with his work building trade associations, will surely benefit the Texas Hemp Business Council as our executive director, particularly now as the hemp industry here in Texas and nationally is being threatened by potential bans and senseless overregulation,” said Cynthia Cabrera, founding board member of Texas Hemp Business Council and chief strategy officer at Hometown Hero. “His industry knowledge and strategic acumen will be crucial in advancing THBC’s goals.”
Bordas works as a government affairs specialist in Texas, assisting clients seeking legislative or regulatory relief in single or multiple states through lobbying, grassroots and communication strategies. Prior to that, he served nearly 20 years at Anheuser-Busch in varying roles coordinating legislative and regulatory activities. Bordas also was a founding member of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, and served as the principal organizer of New Mexicans for Fairness and The Texas Brewers Institute (now the Texas Brewers Guild). Earlier in his career, Bordas was executive director of the Ohio Jewelers Association, where he grew the organization’s annual trade show into the fourth largest fine jewelry event in the U.S.
Bordas brings to the Texas Hemp Business Council more than 30 years of government affairs experience, serving clients in highly regulated industries such as alcohol, vaping, healthcare and tobacco. In addition to helping launch and grow a number of industry trade associations, Bordas has been instrumental in organizing and developing a wide range of successful state, and federal legislative and regulatory campaigns.
“Mark’s extensive background navigating complex regulatory landscapes, along with his work building trade associations, will surely benefit the Texas Hemp Business Council as our executive director, particularly now as the hemp industry here in Texas and nationally is being threatened by potential bans and senseless overregulation,” said Cynthia Cabrera, founding board member of Texas Hemp Business Council and chief strategy officer at Hometown Hero. “His industry knowledge and strategic acumen will be crucial in advancing THBC’s goals.”
Bordas works as a government affairs specialist in Texas, assisting clients seeking legislative or regulatory relief in single or multiple states through lobbying, grassroots and communication strategies. Prior to that, he served nearly 20 years at Anheuser-Busch in varying roles coordinating legislative and regulatory activities. Bordas also was a founding member of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, and served as the principal organizer of New Mexicans for Fairness and The Texas Brewers Institute (now the Texas Brewers Guild). Earlier in his career, Bordas was executive director of the Ohio Jewelers Association, where he grew the organization’s annual trade show into the fourth largest fine jewelry event in the U.S.
John Murray - Board Member
Board Member
John Murray
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.
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
Board Member
Hunter Schiro
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.
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.
Curtis Chouteau - Treasurer
Board Member, Founder
Curtis Chouteau
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.
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.
GET TO KNOW OUR WORK
Policy Position
Advocate for a regulatory framework that ensures adult consumer protection while supporting the hemp industry throughout the hemp supply chain.
In addition to HB1325 Statute and Current DSHS Rules, THBC Supports:
We Oppose
THBC Does Not Support
Focused Initiatives
Iniciatives
The Texas Hemp Business Coalition has led an unprecedented, multi-faceted campaign to preserve the legal hemp industry in Texas. Through strategic advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and unwavering commitment, THBC has achieved significant victories on behalf of the industry and the Texans who depend on it.
THBC Accomplishments: Protecting Texas Hemp
- Raised over $1.2 million to conduct a comprehensive, all-inclusive campaign to save the industry
- Developed educational materials and position papers to counteract false narratives about the industry and its products.
- Created and distributed industry economic impact reports to legislators, demonstrating hemp’s contribution to Texas jobs and revenue.
- Launched social media campaigns across Texas through Facebook and Instagram garnering public support and awareness of the issue.
- Facilitated 64,000 personalized emails from industry members and consumers directly to their district legislators and key committee members throughout the regular session and two subsequent special sessions.
- Organized an unprecedented Governor outreach campaign featuring 8,000 handwritten letters and a petition with 150,000+ signatures in just three weeks.
- Generated thousands of calls to the Governor’s office in opposition to the ban—the Governor’s Director of Constituent Services stated the office had never received so many communications from Texans on any single issue.
- Hosted a joint THBC/Veteran press conference at the Texas Capitol calling for a veto, amplifying the voices of Texas veterans and patients
- Hand-delivered petitions and letters to the Governor’s office with news crews documenting the historic moment
- Secured interviews and coverage in all major local and national news publications
- Placed paid media advertisements in collaboration with allies across major newspapers statewide.
- Launched the most successful political hemp/cannabis social media campaign to date, holding national attention on X for two weeks with #FacesOfTxHemp and #VetoSB3, driving public awareness and political pressure.
- Developed campaign videos that were distributed through paid ads, TV and social media.
- Facilitated interviews with people who use hemp products to tell their personal stories. Used in social collateral and faces of hemp campaign.
- Testified at every legislative hearing on behalf of the entire industry—the only trade group to do so.
- Coordinated allied organization appearances at legislative hearings
- Maintained ongoing daily interactions with key elected officials, including the Governor’s office.
- Met multiple times with Governor Greg Abbott to discuss policy and the industry’s future.
- Hired, managed, and deployed professional lobbying teams to coordinate activities with legislators.
- Crafted and drove legislative alternative language acceptable to the entire industry throughout the regular and special sessions.
- Successfully influenced Governor Greg Abbott to veto a hemp ban bill through a comprehensive, assertive campaign.
- Worked with the Governor through two special sessions to protect the industry.
- Defeated two special sessions without a hemp ban passing, despite intense opposition.
- Secured a 21+ age gate through an emergency rule called for by Governor Abbott under DSHS and TABC.
- Built strategic alliances with like-minded organizations, enhancing the ability to influence legislative outcomes.
- Submitted formal comments and testimony during legislative hearings and agency rulemaking to shape fair, science-based policies for the entire industry.
