Richard Pollard
Canterbury,CT
Summary
Cannabis Operations, Cultivation, and Processing Leader with 10+ years of experience across vertically integrated cannabis businesses in Oregon, Florida, and Massachusetts. Proven expertise spanning genetic selection and acquisition, cultivation, post-harvest operations, extraction, packaging, and go-to-market coordination. Demonstrated ability to design scalable SOPs, optimize labor and throughput, manage P&L, and align production timing with sales and marketing strategy. Hands-on leader experienced in indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations, solvent and solventless extraction, edible production, dry room management, and regulated manufacturing environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Cultivation
Fathom Cannabis
West Boylston, MA
05.2022 - 10.2025
- Lead all cultivation, post-harvest, and processing operations in a regulated cannabis environment
- Oversee propagation, veg, flower, harvest, drying, curing, trimming, packaging, and finished goods readiness
- Designed packaging workflows converting bulk flower into: Wholesale bulk formats, Retail 1/8 oz, 1/4 oz, and ounce SKUs, Infused and non-infused pre-rolls
- Developed and implemented SOPs for: Bud grading and quality classification, Machine vs hand-trimming decisions by cultivar, Trim team pacing, workflow, and QA standards
- Managed dry room operations, including environmental setpoints, flower handling, and curing protocols
- Partnered with sales and marketing teams to time cultivar releases and prioritize SKUs for market demand
- Participated in genetic selection aligned with branding, yield targets, and sell-through strategy
- Owned departmental, labor planning, hiring, training, and performance management
Research & Development Supervisor
Parallel
Florida
02.2021 - 05.2022
- Led R&D initiatives supporting cultivation efficiency, genetic trials, and production scalability
- Coordinated with sales teams to launch cultivars strategically based on market timing
- Transitioned genetics and methods from R&D into full-scale commercial production
- Supported product validation and regulatory readiness across cultivation and processing
- Managed vendor relationships, budgets, and production schedules
Grower
Parallel
Florida
05.2019 - 02.2021
- Managed irrigation, nutrition, and IPM programs for a 400,000 sq ft greenhouse
- Supported harvest execution, dry room operations, and post-harvest quality control
- Trained and supervised cultivation staff in SOPs and best practices
- Collaborated with leadership to improve yield, consistency, and operational efficiency
Co-Founder
High Prophets Farm
Creswell, OR
05.2016 - 07.2017
- Built and operated indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor cultivation systems
- Conducted solventless extraction, producing bubble hash at scale
- Supported cryogenically frozen processing workflows for extraction
- Managed trim, harvest, and post-harvest teams (20–30 staff)
- Oversaw compliance, HR, budgeting, and operational planning
Co-Founder
Canna Pure
Portland, OR
02.2014 - 05.2016
- Designed and built a 75,000-watt indoor cultivation facility
- Operated cryogenically frozen sleeved closed-loop extraction systems
- Produced solventless hash, chocolates, and gummies
- Developed early post-harvest, trimming, and packaging workflows
- Managed cultivation operations, vendor relationships, and logistics
Education
High School Diploma -
Thomas Alleyne's High School
Uttoxeter, England06-2010
Skills
- Cannabis Operations Management
- Cultivation & Production Strategy (Indoor, Greenhouse, Outdoor, CEA)
- Post-Harvest Operations (Drying, Trimming, Curing)
- Extraction & Edible Manufacturing
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Packaging & Processing Operations
- Budget Forecasting & Supply Chain Coordination
- Team Leadership & Workforce Training
- Throughput Optimization & Workflow Design
- Facility Systems (HVAC, Irrigation, CO₂, Electrical)
- SOP Development, Documentation & Compliance
- Plant Nutrition, Hydroponics & Precision Agriculture
Accomplishments
- Winner, 2025 High Times Cup MA
- Hybrid Flower (1st Place)
- Pre-Roll (1st Place)
- Awarded 3rd Place at NECAN Boston 2025
- Led cultivation and processing operations across facilities up to 400,000 sq ft
- Designed post-harvest and packaging workflows supporting wholesale and retail SKUs
- Built trim and grading SOPs improving consistency, labor efficiency, and throughput
- Aligned harvest timing and strain selection with sales forecasts and market demand
- Passed multiple state audits and inspections with zero compliance violations
- Hired, trained, and led teams of 100+ employees
Timeline
Director of Cultivation
Fathom Cannabis
05.2022 - 10.2025
Research & Development Supervisor
Parallel
02.2021 - 05.2022
Grower
Parallel
05.2019 - 02.2021
Co-Founder
High Prophets Farm
05.2016 - 07.2017
Co-Founder
Canna Pure
02.2014 - 05.2016
High School Diploma -
Thomas Alleyne's High School