David Kessler
Litchfield
Summary
Transformational C-level operator with over 30 years of expertise in cannabis, horticulture, and closed environmental agriculture (CEA). Demonstrated ability to scale businesses from inception to acquisition, execute high-impact operational turnarounds, and foster innovation in regulated markets. Recognized as a trusted advisor to boards and investors, emphasizing strategic planning, team development, and enterprise value creation. Career goals include further advancing sustainable practices and enhancing operational efficiencies within the industry.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Vice President | Chief Science Officer | General Manager
Agrify Corporation
Troy
01.2020 - 01.2024
*Company Overview: Formerly TriGrow (Acquired 2019)
- Led Agrify’s transformation from a high burn rate to near break-even by Q1 2024, cutting quarterly losses by over $10 million through cost control and SG&A reduction.
- Scaled the team from 50 to over 200 during hypergrowth, then right-sized to optimize profitability and maintain operational excellence.
- Positioned the company for acquisition by Green Thumb Industries (GTI) through financial restructuring, $20M convertible debt, and a $25.9M private placement.
- Key SME during Series A ($7M), IPO ($85M), and follow-on ($65M) fundraising campaigns; interfaced with public and private investors.
- Executed due diligence and acquisitions of industry-leading extraction firms; helped build one of the largest integrated platforms in the U.S.
- Directed R&D and commercialization of cultivation technologies to increase yield, workflow efficiency, and labor planning.
- Built and led corporate training programs for over 100 employees and clients on cannabis science, IPM, and leadership.
- Designed 100K+ sq. ft. Of cannabis facilities across North America, ensured regulatory compliance across multi-state operations.
- Launched a supply platform with over 7,000 SKUs, more than 600 brands, and surpassed $1M in revenue in the first year.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across all departments.
Education
B.A. -
State University of New York at Oswego
01.2001
Study Abroad, Environmental Science - Environmental Science
Australian Catholic University
04-2001
Skills
- Cannabis Industry Leadership
- Public Company Operations
- Corporate Strategy & Execution
- Financial Stewardship
- Capital Formation & Investor Relations
- Strategic M&A and Partnerships
- Brand & Product Development
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
- Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
- Operational Optimization
- Workforce & Leadership Development
- Digital & Collaborative Tools
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Corporate Communications
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Affiliations
- Founding Member, Controlled Environmental Design Standards (CEADS), 01/01/20, Present
- Training Coordinator, American Orchid Society, Atlanta Center, 01/01/15, 12/31/17
- Judge, Retired, American Orchid Society, 01/01/08, Present
- Board of Trustees & Committee Chair, American Orchid Society, 01/01/07, 12/31/17
Publications
- Cannabis Consistency: It All Begins with a Clear Taxonomic Structure, MG Magazine, 11/01/19
- Bench Space and Cultivation Efficiency, Botanicare Blog, Fall 2018
- The Ideal Temperature & Humidity for Indoor Cultivation, Botanicare Blog, Summer 2017
- Foliar Spraying, Botanicare Blog, 02/01/17
- Organic Pest Control: Diatomaceous Earth & How to Apply It, Maximum Yield USA, 09/01/16
- Dealing with Heat in Growrooms (Parts 1 & 2), Best of Maximum Yield International, 2016
- New Trends in Horticultural Lighting Technology, Maximum Yield USA, 08/01/16
- Let’s Talk About Plant Sex, Maximum Yield USA, 04/01/16
- Hydroponics and the Big Screen, Maximum Yield Industry News, 02/01/16
- The Rules of Growing, Maximum Yield Canada, 01/01/16
- Maintaining a Mother Plant, Maximum Yield USA, 12/01/15
- Getting Hot & Heavy (Parts 1 & 2), Maximum Yield USA, 08/01/15
- The Rules of Growing, Maximum Yield USA, 01/01/15
- Root Aphids: The Ninjas of the Plant Pest World, Maximum Yield USA, 10/01/14
- Drying and Smoking Harvests, Maximum Yield Canada, 09/01/14
- Spring Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening, Maximum Yield USA, 03/01/14
- The Rules of Growing, Maximum Yield USA, 01/01/14
- Lumens are for Humans and PAR is for Plants, Maximum Yield USA, 12/01/13
- Drying and Smoking Harvests, Maximum Yield USA, 10/01/13
- Genetic Modification of Flavor and Aroma in Fruits and Flowers, Maximum Yield USA, 08/01/13
- An Element Too Good to Pass Up: The Benefits of Silicon, Maximum Yield USA, 07/01/13
- Maintain Your Differences: A Guide to Temperature Differential, Maximum Yield USA, 06/01/13
- Nutrient Antagonism, Maximum Yield USA, 03/01/13
- Interpreting a Water Report, Maximum Yield USA, 02/01/13
- Strong Plants Pump Iron, Maximum Yield USA, 11/01/12
- Growing Phalaenopsis Helen Ng ‘Megan Anne’ CCM/AOS, Atlanta Orchid Society Bulletin, 09/01/07
- J&L Orchids: Magnificent Masdevallia, The Orchid Enthusiast, 05/01/05
- Growing Phragmipedium Besseae, The Orchid Enthusiast, 02/01/05
Media Presence Speaking Engagements
- Canna Reg Summit, Vermont, 03/01/23
- Cannabis Equipment News, A New Approach to Cultivation, 05/01/22
- Analytical Cannabis, Interview with David Kessler, 08/01/22
- How to Clone Cannabis, 09/01/22
- Thinking Inside the Box, Why Cannabis Cultivators are Going Compact, 01/01/21
- How to Recognize & Treat Calcium Deficiency in Cannabis Plants, 09/01/22
- The Ganjapreneur Podcast, Optimizing Indoor Cannabis Cultivation Facilities, 01/01/20
- MMJ Daily, Optimizing the Cultivation Environment in Your Indoor Cannabis Facility, 01/01/20
- Blunt Business, Interview with David Kessler, 02/01/20
- Bootleg Avocado, Opportunities & Innovations in Ag Tech, 05/01/21
- CannaCon Chicago, Cannabis Ag-Tech Saves Food from Climate Change, 08/01/21
- CannaVest, 02/01/21
- CannaVest East, 02/01/20
- Cannabinoid Connect (Episode 60), 11/01/20
- Elevate Your Grind, 06/01/21
- Marijuana Times, Prohibition & Cannabis Tech, 03/01/22
- Cannabis Science Conference, Baltimore, 06/01/21
- CBE Lecture, A New KPI for the Cannabis Industry, 09/01/22
- CBE Lecture, The Economics Behind Vertical Farming, 03/01/22
- CBT, From Flower to Diamonds, 08/01/22
- Marijuana Biz Con, Point/Counterpoint HPS vs LED, 01/01/18
- Marijuana Biz Con, Can You Make Me Higher?, 10/01/21
- Cannabis Science Conference East, 04/01/19
- Michigan Commercial Cannabis Conference & Expo, 10/01/19
- NECANN, 01/01/18
- NECANN, 01/01/23
- The Future of Growth Podcast
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Executive Vice President | Chief Science Officer | General Manager
Agrify Corporation
01.2020 - 01.2024
B.A. -
State University of New York at Oswego
Study Abroad, Environmental Science - Environmental Science
Australian Catholic University
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