Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Christopher M. Postalwait

Beckley,West Virginia

Summary

Developed essential management and cultivation skills in plant-centric environment, seeking to transition into new field. Aiming to leverage organizational and problem-solving skills to drive success in new professional setting.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Cultivation Manager

Hillfire Medical Cannabis/ Tariff Labs
Millwood, WV
05.2022 - 05.2024
  • Updated all CSV’s and made daily inputs in Metrc Reporting system
  • Ensured all room plant counts matched Metrc
  • Maintain cooperative relationships with all State regulatory agencies
  • New hire on-boarding
  • Termination/layoff of staff
  • Maintained weekly work and weekend watering schedules
  • Maintained company protocols for mixing proprietary nutrient mixes
  • Submitted weekly reports to company directors and investors
  • Help establish new KPI’s and adherence of current KPI's
  • Managed all onsite vendors, Housekeeping, uniforms, janitorial chemicals, grounds, and water company RPZ devices
  • Proficient in Word, Office, Excel, AgrowTek/ QComm greenhouse control systems
  • Responsible for all plant health, crop work, trellising, topping, transplant, clones, mom room health, feeding, and room moves
  • Ensured adequate staffing for each work activity and area
  • Weekly water tests, 3rd party sampling of feed stock (Veg
  • & Flower)
  • Improved crop yields by implementing advanced cultivation techniques and optimizing environmental conditions.
  • Maintained detailed records of all cultivation activities, allowing for data-driven decision making in future crop cycles.
  • Assessed new technology offerings in the market to determine their potential benefits for improving cultivation operations at the facility.
  • Developed and implemented pest management strategies, reducing crop loss due to infestations.
  • Managed a team of cultivators, providing ongoing training and support to ensure optimal performance and productivity.
  • Enhanced plant health through meticulous monitoring of nutrient levels and adjusting feeding schedules accordingly.
  • Oversaw inventory management of all cultivation supplies, avoiding shortages or excess waste through proper stock control measures.
  • Collaborated with sales and marketing teams on product launches, providing insights into the unique characteristics of each crop variety grown at the facility.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews with staff members, identifying areas of improvement and opportunities for growth within the organization.
  • Cultivation Manager who led a team of 20+ employees across various departments including propagation, vegetative growth, flowering stages and harvest.
  • Ensured compliance with local and federal regulations by staying up-to-date on industry best practices and requirements.
  • Streamlined workflow processes within the cultivation facility, leading to increased overall operational efficiency.
  • Implemented innovative irrigation systems that conserved water while maintaining optimal moisture levels for plant growth.
  • Coordinated harvest schedules for maximum efficiency, minimizing downtime between crop cycles.
  • Enforced strong safety and environmental protections to support habitats while preventing harm to employees or consumers.
  • Worked closely with employees to improve practices, techniques and safety choices, optimizing performance, and minimizing waste.
  • Maximized operational profits by closely inspecting crops, assessing quality, and identifying problems such as disease or insects.
  • Completed structural inspections to determine maintenance requirements and organize repairs.
  • Used recognized breeding practices to stabilize and improve stock.
  • Adjusted production strategies to account for changing factors such as market and weather conditions.
  • Analyzed soil to measure pH, minerals, and organics to judge best fertilizer and amendments for maximum crop production.
  • Developed operational budget and monitored farm expenses to enforce and achieve budget adherence.
  • Planned schedule for crop rotation, plantings, and harvest.
  • Hired, trained and supervised seasonal workers engaged in cultivation and harvest.
  • Maintained tidy, clean and well-organized greenhouse for optimal productivity and professionalism.
  • Budgeted equipment purchases and regular repairs.
  • Consulted with horticultural experts to assess operational strengths and weaknesses and plan enhancements to meet changing demands.
  • Wrote and improved SOPs to maintain consistency across shifts and work areas.

General Greenhouse Manager

Vandalia Growers
Buffalo, WV
07.2021 - 05.2022

Responsibilities included managing day-to-day site operations; facilitating work with contractors and consultants; assisting in making facility design changes; tracking inventory of construction materials; securing bids and contracts; site supervisor and administrator; draft daily site report to investors

  • Established company administrative policies and procedures
  • Negotiating subcontracts and vendor contracts
  • Alerted ownership of any on-site concerns or complications
  • Manage grow schedules
  • Control greenhouse environmental settings
  • Adhere and followed all state and federal laws in regard to spraying and food safety regulations
  • Manage greenhouse integrated pest management program
  • Packaging, storage, and shipping of product
  • Set employee schedules
  • Communicate daily reports to ownership
  • Order and purchase greenhouse consumables
  • Maintained regulatory compliance by following local, state, and federal guidelines regarding pesticide use, water conservation, and waste disposal.

Agricultural & Greenhouse Career Specialist

West Virginia National Guard, Jobs to Hope Initiative & Patriot Guards Program
Charleston, WV
09.2019 - 07.2021
  • Developed and implemented statewide greenhouse career classes
  • Severing disadvantaged WV veterans and citizens
  • Class covered basic plant physiology, greenhouse environmental control, greenhouse safety protocols, potting media, greenhouse sanitation, integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide safety and proper applying techniques, general hydroponic and some aquaponics operation, worker protection standard (WPS) training, heat safety training, greenhouse plant disease management and how to identify plant diseases, using and deploying beneficial insects, irrigation and water management
  • Worked with multiple WV county day report centers
  • Teaching horticulture job skills for gainful employment
  • Taught at Recovery Point centers in Charleston and Huntington
  • Led hands on and classroom plant training(s) at each facility on a weekly basis
  • Taught with Patriot Guards program. Which provides active and retired military personnel and their families, agricultural and greenhouse training. Learning how to start small farms and greenhouse grows.
  • Conducted on-site farm visits and consultation for greenhouse/ high tunnel construction and management
  • Assisted program members in identifying new markets to sell their produce and plant crops
  • Developed pesticide safety and training program for Patriot Guards Apple project in Summersville, West Virginia
  • Collaborated with employers to identify job openings, matching qualified candidates with suitable positions.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of career service offerings by tracking client outcomes and adjusting program delivery accordingly.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current employment trends to provide accurate advice on industry challenges and opportunities.
  • Established strong relationships with local organizations to create a network of resources for client referrals and support services.
  • Conducted in-depth assessments of client skills, interests, and values to determine best-fit careers.
  • Streamlined the job search process for clients through targeted networking strategies and resume refinement.

Columnist for Good to Grow

Sunday Gazette-Mail
Charleston, WV
03.2017 - 03.2020
  • Authored monthly agricultural and gardening advice column
  • Topics include Organic Gardening, Vegetable Farming, Cropping Systems, Nutrient Management, Irrigation, Integrated Pest Management Systems (IPM), Plastic Culture, and Greenhouse Production
  • Inspired meaningful dialogue among readers through thought-provoking questions posed at the end of each column piece.
  • Maintained open communication with readers, responding to feedback and using it to inform future column topics.
  • Kept detailed schedule of column deadlines.
  • Edited, proofread and fact-checked content for accuracy.
  • Researched and analyzed newsworthy events, trends and issues.

Environmental Agricultural Research Station and Greenhouse Manager

West Virginia State University, Research & Development Corporation
Institute, WV
04.2015 - 09.2019
  • Managed day-to-day operations, staff, and research sites
  • Led bid requests and purchasing of agricultural equipment
  • Provides critical planning for cropping systems and site preparation for agricultural research production
  • Provided detailed material cost analysis to research scientists for agricultural production experiments
  • Implemented University’s first successful biological control program
  • Designed and oversee installation of irrigation systems, hydroponic growing systems, and nutrient management injection systems
  • Overseen maintenance and construction projects for Research Station and greenhouse facilities
  • Submits annual EPA Pesticide reports
  • Operates and maintains QComm Control software and operating system for greenhouse automation
  • Served has liaison to schools, local, state, and federal organizations to further the universities agricultural interests
  • Improved crop yield by monitoring and adjusting environmental conditions in the greenhouse.
  • Maintained regulatory compliance by following local, state, and federal guidelines regarding pesticide use, water conservation, and waste disposal.
  • Collaborated with researchers to test new plant varieties and growing methods, advancing knowledge within the industry.
  • Managed greenhouse budgets, reducing costs while maintaining high-quality standards for plants and products.
  • Developed training programs for staff members, promoting a skilled workforce committed to best practices in horticulture.
  • Optimized plant nutrition programs by conducting soil tests and applying appropriate fertilizers to promote healthy growth.
  • Established strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate contracts for materials and equipment at competitive prices.
  • Cultivated open communication among team members through regular meetings focused on operational improvements.
  • Upgraded outdated infrastructure resulting in reduced energy consumption throughout operations.

Research Station Safety Officer

West Virginia State University, Research & Development Corporation
Institute, WV
10.2015 - 09.2019
  • Provides Worker Protection Standard Training (WPS) for all Research and Development Corporation staff
  • Provides all necessary safety training to staff working with hand tools, and agricultural equipment
  • Provides all necessary training for individual staff members that apply pesticides
  • Implemented Research Station’s first safety and training plan
  • Lead effort to bring all corporation vehicles into Department of Transportation safety compliance
  • Increased employee awareness of potential hazards by creating informative signage throughout the facility.
  • Conducted regular safety inspections and audits to identify potential hazards and prevent accidents and injuries.
  • Recognized, documented, and advised on removal of hazards.
  • Developed and implemented safety policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for safe work practices and comply with regulations.
  • Provided guidance and resources to employees to maintain safety procedures and enhance protection.
  • Collaborated with other departments to integrate safety in all aspects of organization.
  • Responded to any emergencies as instructed and with utmost efficiency.
  • Inspected worksites, practices, and gear for compliance with established safety standards.

Greenhouse Manager / Field Manager

West Virginia State University, Gus R. Douglas Land-Grant Institute
Institute, WV
02.2010 - 09.2019
  • Responsible for purchasing, supervising and installation of all greenhouse systems, including electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling as well as necessary structural repairs
  • Designed and implemented new irrigation systems for greenhouses and outside row crops
  • Installed and layout new 600w HPS lighting system in greenhouses
  • Maintains daily operation of greenhouse environment using computer aided operating System
  • That controls temperature, humidity, lighting, watering, and fertilization
  • Supervises all pesticide applications in greenhouses and fields according to state and federal laws, including safety, inventory, storage, and documentation of all pesticide use
  • Supervise employees and seasonal student help
  • Responsible for providing safety training to employees and students
  • Supervised maintenance of greenhouse testing equipment, fleet of tractors, farm machinery, lawn equipment, and field and garden tools
  • Responsible for greenhouse and field pest management, including identification, and IPM program
  • Assists research station manager in daily operations of research station, including, deliveries, ordering materials, and parts, staffing issues, and vehicle maintenance
  • Designed and implemented University’s first fruit orchard for research and extension demonstrations
  • Assist in public awareness of university agriculture projects with local farmers and communities
  • Operate greenhouse and field equipment
  • Plan, and manage greenhouse projects, including budget analysis, and purchase of Materials
  • Enhanced plant growth by implementing effective greenhouse management strategies and techniques.
  • Developed training programs for staff members, promoting a skilled workforce committed to best practices in horticulture.

Owner/Operator

Orange Vine, LLC.
St. Albans, WV
01.2014 - 12.2016
  • Owned and operated twenty-acre pumpkin and organic vegetable wholesale farm in Lakin, West Virginia
  • Marketed pumpkins and produce
  • Provided produce to local WV CSAs and restaurants in the Charleston WV area
  • Provided agricultural consulting services to area greenhouses and farms
  • Provided exceptional customer service, addressing issues promptly to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by providing high-quality services and timely communication.
  • Assessed income and expenses and adapted plans to improve profit levels.
  • Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.

Media Consultant / Business to Business Sales

Yellowbook
Charleston, WV
11.2008 - 02.2010
  • Maintain current customer accounts and generate new sales leads in assigned territory
  • Led implementation of best practices to support customer service satisfaction initiatives.
  • Increased brand awareness through creation of innovative print and digital productions for major publications.
  • Generated increased revenue growth by upselling additional services based on specific client needs.
  • Collaborated with creative teams to produce visually appealing advertisements that resonated with target audiences.
  • Evaluated campaign effectiveness through detailed analytics reports, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting strategies accordingly.
  • Developed targeted marketing materials, showcasing agency capabilities to attract potential clients in various industries.
  • Assisted in new business development efforts by conducting industry research and presenting proposals to potential clients.
  • Optimized digital media campaigns using data-driven techniques to improve performance metrics.
  • Negotiated favorable advertising rates with vendors, maximizing ROI for clients.
  • Managed client relationships, ensuring timely communication and effective project execution.
  • Developed comprehensive media plans to achieve clients'' marketing objectives.

Sales / Document Specialist

Copier Word Processing Supply, Inc.
Charleston, WV
03.2008 - 10.2008
  • Generate new leads (Business to Business Outside Sales)
  • Manage existing customer accounts
  • Demonstrate/install Canon and Ricoh office equipment
  • Sell software and networking services
  • Average size of sales: $5,000 - $25,000
  • Demonstrated adaptability in meeting evolving business needs, quickly mastering new software tools and platforms as needed.
  • Delivered exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues related to document management in timely manner.
  • Identified areas of weakness and recommended or implemented process improvements.
  • Managed training courses, setup and maintenance for document control systems.
  • Created and trained on user accounts
  • Assessed impact of emerging technology and system upgrades on workflow.

Landscape Manager / Construction Manager

Eimors Construction & Landscaping
Charleston, WV
10.2006 - 03.2008
  • Supervise 20 employees
  • Manager staffing
  • Manage project budgets up to $250,000
  • Implement new employee safety guidelines
  • Design and install irrigation systems
  • Created custom Landscape Designs
  • Read landscape blueprints and all plant lists to ensure proper installation
  • Supervise all onsite installations and construction
  • Ensure all work was to local and national building codes
  • Conduct cost analysis of materials and supplies in accordance with job estimates
  • Purchase materials, supplies, tools and equipment
  • Manage relationships with vendors and customers
  • Manage billing and AP
  • Sales and estimates
  • Business to Business Sales
  • Maintain all tools, equipment and fleet of trucks
  • Manage regular and routine maintenance of all equipment and trucks
  • Contributed to revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities through networking events and referrals from satisfied clients.
  • Implemented safety protocols to minimize risk of accidents and injuries among team members during landscaping operations.
  • Evaluated emerging trends in the landscaping industry to stay current with best practices and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
  • Prepared detailed proposals outlining project scope, timeline, and estimated costs, resulting in higher rates of acceptance from potential clients.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - American History

West Virginia State University
Charleston, WV
12.2007

Skills

  • Operations management
  • Records management
  • Supply purchasing
  • Budget development
  • Performance management
  • Environmental compliance
  • Operational improvement
  • Horticultural science
  • Pest control
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Strategic planning
  • Inventory management
  • Employee training
  • Project management
  • Budget management

Timeline

Cultivation Manager

Hillfire Medical Cannabis/ Tariff Labs
05.2022 - 05.2024

General Greenhouse Manager

Vandalia Growers
07.2021 - 05.2022

Agricultural & Greenhouse Career Specialist

West Virginia National Guard, Jobs to Hope Initiative & Patriot Guards Program
09.2019 - 07.2021

Columnist for Good to Grow

Sunday Gazette-Mail
03.2017 - 03.2020

Research Station Safety Officer

West Virginia State University, Research & Development Corporation
10.2015 - 09.2019

Environmental Agricultural Research Station and Greenhouse Manager

West Virginia State University, Research & Development Corporation
04.2015 - 09.2019

Owner/Operator

Orange Vine, LLC.
01.2014 - 12.2016

Greenhouse Manager / Field Manager

West Virginia State University, Gus R. Douglas Land-Grant Institute
02.2010 - 09.2019

Media Consultant / Business to Business Sales

Yellowbook
11.2008 - 02.2010

Sales / Document Specialist

Copier Word Processing Supply, Inc.
03.2008 - 10.2008

Landscape Manager / Construction Manager

Eimors Construction & Landscaping
10.2006 - 03.2008

Bachelor of Arts - American History

West Virginia State University
Christopher M. Postalwait