Nick Carlson
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business and cultivation strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Cultivation
Bud and Mary's
07.2022 - 01.2025
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Completed the build out of 7500 Sqft of plant canopy in a brand new facility. Assisted with Hvac, irrigation, racking systems and intake and exhaust installation.
- Created and maintained a budget for 2023, 2024 and 2025 and increased profitability of a 40 percent margin in 2024.
- Set up the production plan for 2025 with a 33 percent more production than 2024 while utilizing the same sqft and reducing the cost to produce.
- Set up micro propagation (Tissue Culture) clean room and standard operating procedures.
- Maintained and exceeded KPIs of 93 grams per sqft per harvest in 2024. 90 percent success rate in propagation, Cost to produce in post harvest less than 60 dollars per LB and maintaining a 40 percent margin from cost to produce to sale price on wholesale LBS. Exceeded our KPIs in 2024 by 652 extra LBS on the year.
- Spearheaded a clean plant run targeting aspergillus and TYM over 9 months of tracking to test negative for all 4 species of ASP and reducing TYM to less than 3000 CFUs without utilizing any remediation.
- Started the facility with a 5000 seed pheno hunt and selected 25 top tier keeper phenos with no cross pollination.
- Inventory management month to month in 2023 and quarterly in 2024.
- Daily Metrc inspections and staying up to date on compliance and local state and fire inspections. OSHA trained, and followed standards for GAP and GMP certifications.
Cultivation Manager
Pecos Valley/Everest Cannabis Co
04.2021 - 07.2022
- Create standard operating procedures to optimize health and yield and minimize costs and labor.
- Train new hires.
- Set the production schedule of 9 greenhouse for April 2021-April 2022
- Maintained over 80 keeper strains in 2-30X100 greenhouses.
- Propagation of 1200 clones every 2 weeks at a 90 percent success rate.
- Maintain a clean workspace.
- Maintained detailed records of all cultivation activities, allowing for data-driven decision making in future crop cycles.
- Worked closely with processing departments to ensure seamless transition from cultivation to production stages, reducing time spent in storage or transit.
- Ensured compliance with local and federal regulations by staying up-to-date on industry best practices and requirements. Bio-Track-
- Improved crop yields by implementing advanced cultivation techniques and optimizing environmental conditions.
- Implemented innovative irrigation systems that conserved water while maintaining optimal moisture levels for plant growth.
- Hired, trained and supervised seasonal workers engaged in cultivation and harvest.
- Finished the build-out of new propagation and veg rooms, Hvac and costco racking systems.
- Set new IPM protocols to reduce insect and pathogen damage.
- Analyzed soil to measure pH, minerals, and organics to judge best fertilizer and amendments for maximum crop production.
- Performed repairs and preventive maintenance on equipment and property.
- Inventory management
Director of Cultivation
Top Shelf Oregon Grown
05.2016 - 03.2021
- Completed the build out myself of 50 light 1600 sqft cannabis facility, zoned FE2 personally installed Hvac, Dehumidifiers, Plumbing, Irrigation, Security system and electrical.
- Developed and implemented SOPs (standard operating procedures) for all cultivation daily processes,including up to but not limiting, growth cycle processes nutrient regimens, inventory management, and cleanliness.
- Applied and approved for licensing from the OLCC for a micro tier 2 license Less than 2000 Sqft of canopy. Conducted all building inspection.
- Four years of compliance seed to sale tracking system, I was in charged of Metrc for all plant moves including manifests and sales.
- Pheno hunted 6 strains during 2018 after finding HLVD in keeper stock, removed HLVD from facility in 2019.
- Implemented new irrigation strategy in order to save revenue and reduce cost to produce in 2019.
- Managed all sales of flower and created great relationships with dispensaries to which we had pre orders of flower before harvests and averaging 1600 a LB when industry average was at 900 a LB.
- Conducted cannabis breeding.
- Conducted all interviews on potential candidates and was solely responsible for the human resources department. Stayed up to date on all employment laws and regulations.
- Managed on site post harvest department 6-8 employees.
- Created on-boarding plans for new employees.
IPM Spray Technician
Rasmussen Spray Service
03.2011 - 08.2016
- Ensured safety compliance through strict adherence to company protocols and OSHA regulations.
- Oregon Licensed applicator holding 3 different pesticide licenses.
- Optimized pesticide usage by accurately calibrating equipment, reducing waste and environmental impact.
- Used proper PPE and safety protocols for personal health and safety of other staff.
- Followed EPA guidelines on label specific pesticides.
- Applied insecticide, fungicide, herbicides for residential and commercial structures, including but not limited to Ornamental plants, Gardens, Orchards, Nurseries, etc.
- Trained new hires on day to day SOPs, including the point of sale system.
- Cleaned and prepared equipment necessary for projects.
- Maintained knowledge of equipment necessary to complete jobs, acquiring new skills and techniques.
- Maintained a clean work environment, preventing cross-contamination between projects and upholding the professional appearance of job sites.
- Reduced callbacks for reapplications due to thorough assessments of initial treatments, ensuring complete coverage and desired outcomes.
Medical Grower
Self-Employed
01.2008 - 07.2016
- Held 4 Oregon Medical Marijuana Cards as a caregiver from 2008 to 2016.
- Made a lot of mistakes and gained a lot of experience figuring out how to cultivate cannabis.
- Built out a 400 SQFT 12 light medical cannabis grow on my own, utilizing 50 amps of power in a 4 car garage.
- Started pheno hunting older genetics such as blueberry, God Bud, GSC, Sour Diesel, GG4, OG Kush, Cheese.
- Dropped Pineapple express, Da Purps, and Kosher Kush at the first compliance lab in the state of oregon in early 2015 and was approached by investors.
Education
Construction
Heavy Equipment Operator School
Eugene, OR08-2009
High School Diploma -
McNary High School
Keizer, OR06-2005
Skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Microsoft word and Excell
- Microsoft Teams and Outlook
- People management
- Operations management
- Project management
- Project coordination
- Employee development
- Budget control
- Budget management
Websites
Timeline
Director of Cultivation
Bud and Mary's
07.2022 - 01.2025
Cultivation Manager
Pecos Valley/Everest Cannabis Co
04.2021 - 07.2022
Director of Cultivation
Top Shelf Oregon Grown
05.2016 - 03.2021
IPM Spray Technician
Rasmussen Spray Service
03.2011 - 08.2016
Medical Grower
Self-Employed
01.2008 - 07.2016
Construction
Heavy Equipment Operator School
High School Diploma -
McNary High School
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