Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Hobbies and Interests
Certification
Websites
Timeline
BusinessDevelopmentManager
Tawnie Scarborough

Tawnie Scarborough

Summary

Versatile Executive and seasoned thought leader with 20+ years of proven expertise and unwavering dedication to excellence. Cross-functional leader and collaborator in rapidly-scaling, fast-paced environments

Adept in multidisciplinary business facets integral to new enterprise launch, financial sustainability and profitability. Proven success at increasing profit margins by growing sales and reducing costs with adaptable and creative approach. Articulate and personable leader with excellent program management, strategic planning and operational abilities.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

VP Corporate Development

Conception Nurseries
Sacramento, CA
07.2021 - 09.2023
  • Successfully led national expansion program to establish two new tissue culture labs in the U.S.
  • Developed and led genetic licensing program to create new revenue streams. Representing 20%+ of top line quarterly revenue with over 90% margin.
  • Established product development division, successfully reducing cost and eliminating business bottlenecks.
  • Led startup and creation of genetic vendor onboarding procedures and workflow planning to establish 2 years worth of product pipeline.
  • Devised effective business strategies to capitalize on emerging market trends.
  • Monitored business trend forecasts and adjusted budgets and operational plans to maximize growth and opportunities.
  • Led cross-functional teams in developing innovative solutions to complex business challenges.
  • Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and partners.
  • Negotiated genetic vendor and satellite lab partner contracts to improve business performance and revenue growth.
  • Implemented strategic offerings to enhance company's suite of products and services.
  • Designed effective organizational structures that aligned with corporate mission and values.
  • Spearheaded new sales and marketing strategies, resulting in increased customer base access and subsequent revenue.

VP, Strategic Development

NewTropic Ventures
01.2020 - 06.2021
  • Reporting directly to CEO, developed and implemented systems aligning the Executive Leadership team's organizational strategy to maximize profitability.
  • Establish lean productivity initiatives; partner with cross-functional leadership to implement these changes across the company.
  • Implement KPIs to actively manage the performance and overall effectiveness of personnel and workflows throughout the company's supply chain.
  • Lead change management initiatives supporting each tier of the company.
  • Managed ERP development and implementation in coordination with VP of Finance.
  • Spearheaded the development and integration of OKR planning, tracking, reporting.
  • Oversaw the increased efficiency of supply tracking, demand forecasting and production planning.
  • Facilitated meetings among senior executives from different divisions to share best practices and ensure continuity across department leadership.
  • Devised effective business strategies to capitalize on emerging market trends.
  • Monitored business trend forecasts and adjusted budgets and operational plans to maximize growth and opportunities.
  • Developed strategic plans to align business objectives with the company's long-term goals.
  • Created and implemented successful programs focused on contract manufacturing market growth.
  • Analyzed competitive landscape to develop strategies for maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.Negotiated contracts with vendors for services, products and supplies.
  • Marketed and developed key accounts by favorably representing company at membership and community functions.
  • Formulated high-level organizational strategy to collaborate with senior managers on projects and deliver organizational impact.

Director, Farmer Relations

Flow Kana
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Reporting to CEO in 2019 and COO in 2020
  • Reporting directly to CEO, led key business development activities related to strategy improvement, contract management, and special projects of varying complexity with focus on business growth including real estate scouting and regulatory affairs.
  • Spearheaded programs supporting vendor success and stability of consistent supply.
  • Developed and implemented farmer services program, including: Metrc training, quarterly educational events, trade show presence, monthly newsletter, local and state policy engagement, special events and marketing opportunities
  • Reporting to the COO, streamlined upstream supply operations and fall harvest contracting to intake 30,000+ lbs of biomass, across 65 farm contracts with a staff of 5.
  • Increased supply volume acquisition by 60% from previous 2 years, with over 15% reduction in per unit price.
  • Created efficient systems around intake of harvest supply, including harvest mapping, new vendor growth, contract negotiation, product tracking, accounts payable, issue resolution, and development of SOPs across upstream departments
  • Managed department through OKRs; implemented KPI-based performance reviews and performance improvement planning.
  • Oversaw the contract development, revisions and negotiations for annual vendor supply contracts.

Co-Founder/Vice President

Canna Code Compliance
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Responsible for the strategy, staffing, operation, and growth of consulting company
  • Scaled firm to 50 active clients in 90 days, maintained client volume quarterly
  • Managed the development and integration of CRM and PM software
  • Oversaw accounts receivable and client retention
  • Authored cannabis local permit and state license application templates
  • Avg 95% success rate for over 200 permit applications company-wide
  • Managed staffing, subcontractors and business affiliate contracts for client services
  • Built lasting relationships with California cannabis industry.
  • Managed the negotiations for sale of consulting firm for $1.5M.

Executive Director/ Founder

Sonoma County Growers Alliance
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Founded Sonoma County's first and largest local cannabis association based on the needs of the existing cannabis operators
  • Worked with similar organizations state-wide to forge relationships with neighboring counties to shape sensible policy and avoid moratoriums on regulations
  • Developed cannabis trade association templates still used by 5+ northern CA cannabis associations today, including board governance, membership, sponsorship and government affairs documents
  • Ran fundraising campaigns for SCGA, securing $275,000 in first year
  • Oversaw legal, accounting and HR functions of the business
  • Built a board of directors and the structure to support their functions
  • Developed marketing materials and website (still in use today, scgalliance.com)
  • Managed event production, including monthly mixers, membership quarterlies, annual conferences and special events for government affairs
  • Worked with state representatives Jim Wood, Mike McGuire, Fiona Ma and many more, to build and support MMRSA legislation passing in 2015.

National Sales Manager

Cutting Edge Solutions
01.2015 - 01.2015
  • Reporting to COO, created a new division of the national sales team to engage large commercial cultivators
  • Develop and execute sales strategies and tactics in a highly competitive market
  • Established a direct to customer sales campaign for new legal cannabis markets in CO and WA
  • Secured sales for $30k revenue in monthly shipping contracts, creating 15% increase in product sales revenue.

Commercial Sales Manager

Organic BounTea
01.2012 - 01.2014
  • Reporting to CEO, expanded compost tea retail sales into 5 new states
  • 20% growth in existing CA sales
  • Led 75% sales growth from new states
  • Built CRM integration and customer retention systems
  • Managed national trade show and regional store demo activities.

President

Rogue Botanicals
Sonoma County, CA
01.2002 - 01.2011
  • Transformed an undeveloped 80-acres into a biodynamic food and cannabis farm (still operating today)
  • Established in first year: 100% solar powered, gravity well irrigation, 10-acre orchard, 2 acres food crop, 1.5 acres cannabis production
  • Worked openly with environmental agency, fire department and sheriff's dept.
  • Implemented robust policies and organizational structures to underpin successful expansion and drive continuous growth.

Education

B.S. Business Management -

Purdue Global University

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • New Market Penetration
  • Product Development
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Business Growth and Marketing Strategies
  • Partnerships and Affiliations
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Project Management
  • Data Analysis

Affiliations

  • Board Member, Resource Innovation Institute (2019-2023)
  • Chairwoman, California Growers Association (2016-2018)
  • Board Member, California Cannabis Banking Working Group (2018)
  • Board Member, Sonoma County Cannabis Advisory Board (2017-2018)
  • Co-chair, Sonoma County Cannabis Economic Impact Task Force (2016)

Accomplishments

  • Cannabis Program Instructor, Sonoma State University
  • Speaker, Sustainable Enterprise Conference
  • Keynote & Advisory Board, Wine and Weed Symposium
  • 40 Under 40, Wine Magazine
  • Moderator, Speaker, Judge, Emerald Cup

Hobbies and Interests

  • Sailing
  • Scuba diving
  • Recreational Pilot
  • Cycling
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking

Certification

  • Recreational Pilot
  • Scuba Diver
  • Saliing

Timeline

VP Corporate Development

Conception Nurseries
07.2021 - 09.2023

VP, Strategic Development

NewTropic Ventures
01.2020 - 06.2021

Director, Farmer Relations

Flow Kana
01.2018 - 01.2020

Co-Founder/Vice President

Canna Code Compliance
01.2017 - 01.2018

Executive Director/ Founder

Sonoma County Growers Alliance
01.2015 - 01.2017

National Sales Manager

Cutting Edge Solutions
01.2015 - 01.2015

Commercial Sales Manager

Organic BounTea
01.2012 - 01.2014

President

Rogue Botanicals
01.2002 - 01.2011

B.S. Business Management -

Purdue Global University

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Tawnie Scarborough