William Torello
South Deerfield,MA
Summary
Plant and Soil Scientist with extensive academic and commercial experience in cannabis cultivation and genetic improvement. Proven expertise in extraction techniques, tissue culture, and sustainable organic program development. Recognized for high productivity as a Cultivation Manager, specializing in plant genetics, pest management, and climate control systems to maximize crop yields. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills drive continuous improvement and sustainable practices in cultivation environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Cultivation
The Weed League
Syracuse, NY
07.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: Cultivation and Extraction company owned by NFL Hall of Fame/Green Bay Packers, Dorsey Levens. First major cultivation company utilizing “aeroponics” as the primary growth method. Major emphasis on high level CO2 extraction technologies provided for regional growers.
- Cultivation and Extraction company owned by NFL Hall of Fame/Green Bay Packers, Dorsey Levens. First major cultivation company utilizing “aeroponics” as the primary growth method. Major emphasis on high level CO2 extraction technologies provided for regional growers.
Director of Cultivation
Greencraft LLC
Muskegon, Michigan
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Responsible for all facets of commercial cannabis cultivation
- Overseeing construction and implementation of the facility
- Developed commercial cannabis tissue culture program
- Managed cultivation operations, focusing on sustainable practices and efficient resource utilization.
Cannabis Consultant
Curaleaf, Inc.
- 12.2020
- Company Overview: Nationwide
- Developing extensive R&D program for the Curaleaf Corp.
- Reviewing and assessing current Curaleaf grow locations.
- Developing experimental designs in cannabis research including strain, media, nutritional and environment variables.
- Nationwide
Director of Plant Science and Tissue Culture Operations
Vertikal Technologies
Auburn, ME
- Design and establish a commercial cannabis tissue culture lab.
- Develop methodology and SOP’s for meristem culture and synthetic seed research.
- Ensure virus free clones/stock.
- Train personnel in all facets of aseptic technique and tissue culture methodology.
Cannabis Consultant
Exotica Farms
Holyoke, MA
- Facilities and Operations Consultant
- Part of a development team repurposing a factory for a 75,000+ square foot growing and manufacturing facility.
- Staffing and equipping this facility will start late fall 2021.
- Working with architect and engineer for facility layout and efficiency of flow.
- Ensure working spaces are in compliance with state and local requirements.
Cannabis Consultant
Alternative Agriculture LLC
Holyoke, MA
- Develop cultivation SOP’s, Tissue Culture SOP’s and Development of Compliance Programs.
- Determine primary growth methods including aeroponics, coco coir/stone wool/hybrid greenhouse and outdoor methods.
- Indoor cultivation infrastructure requirements.
- Consult on variety/strain selections.
Chief Technical Officer/Commercial Cannabis (indoor)
ZJ Enterprises
Oakland, CA
- Responsible for all facets of a large (50 room) indoor cannabis operation.
- Initially hired to correct structural and cultivation operation with particular emphasis on insect and disease control/IPM.
- Initiated a complete cannabis tissue culture lab to ensure genetic stability as well as produce over 5k clones/week.
- Initiated a solvent-less extraction program.
Master Grower, Commercial Cannabis (Indoor, Greenhouse)
The Heirloom Collective, Inc.
Bernardston, MA
- Planning and overseeing new construction for large indoor cannabis grow.
- Directing all facets of agronomic development and product improvement.
- Developed and implemented a 100% certifiable organic grow program.
- Wrote complete set of SOP’s for the indoor grow which will be followed by SOP’s for.
- Involved with the agronomic procedures for a separate Hemp/CBD oil facility.
- Developed and implemented a complete tissue culture program to supply the thousands of plantlets needed on a weekly basis as well as removing the need for a complete and separate 'mother' room.
- Plant breeding and variety/strain evaluations.
Chief Agronomist/Researcher
Clade9
Los Angeles, CA
- Indoor, greenhouse and outdoor cannabis grow technology.
- Development of new procedures/materials for each “grow”.
- Breeding and Tissue Culture.
Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
- Company Overview: Research, Teaching and Extension Appointment.
- Research, Teaching and Extension Appointment.
Education
Ph.D. - Agronomy/Horticulture
M.S. - Plant and Soil Sciences
B.S. - Plant and Soil Sciences
Minor Concentrations: Plant Pathology/Biochemistry
Skills
- CO2 extraction
- Aeroponics cultivation
- Tissue culture techniques
- Integrated pest management
- Standard operating procedures
- Project management
Patents
- Fertilizer compositions and methods including lysine based materials., U.S. application Ser. No. 11/549,470, Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a fertilizer. More specifically, non-limiting embodiments are directed toward a fertilizer that provides nitrogen while minimizing the unit cost of the fertilizer. Also provided are methods for increasing nitrogen content in soil, promoting crop production, and fertilizing horticultural or agricultural crops.
- Novel antifungal bacterium and compositions, United States Patent 7666406, A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod.
- Sprayable organic fertilizer., US 20020011086, The invention is a sprayable organic fertilizer for application to a plant or plant soil.
Awards
- Twice awarded 'Outstanding Professor' in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, Umass, Amherst
- Appointed Adjunct Professor in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science.
Publications
- 6 Tips and 4 Steps for Creating a Structured Cannabis Breeding Program, David Holmes, Dr. William A. Torello, Cannabis Business Times, 12/01/17
- Effect of Organic Fertilizers Derived Dissolved Organic Matter on Pesticide Sorption and Leaching., J. Environ. Pollution, Vol. 134, pp 187-194
- Retention of Organic and Inorganic Chemicals by Draining/Supply Piping Material in an Encapsulated Green System., J. Environ. Pollution, 108(3), pp 397-403
- Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Suspension Cultures of Red Fescue., Crop Sci., 29, 815-817
- Callus Initiation, Plant Regeneration and Evidence of Somatic Embryogenesis in Red Fescue., Crop Sci., 24, 1037-1040
- Enumeration of Denitrifying Microbial Populations in a Turf System., Plant and Soil, 96, 145-151
- Denitrification Losses from a Kentucky Bluegrass Sod., Agron. J., 80, 148-153
- Effects of NaCl Stress on Proline and Cation Accumulation in Salt Sensitive and Salt Tolerant Turfgrasses., Plant and Soil, 93, pp 241-247
- Screening of Turfgrass Species and Cultivars for NaCl Tolerance., Plant and Soil, 82, pp 155-161
- Urease Activity in a Kentucky Bluegrass Turf., Agron. J., Vol.75, pp 654-656
- Ammonia Volatilization from Fertilized Turfgrass Stands., Agron. J., Vol.75, pp 454-456
Military Experience
U.S. NAVY NUCLEAR SUBMARINE SERVICE, USS George Washington Carver SSBN 656: Ballistic Missile Boat, USS Bergall SSN 668: Fast Attack Boat, USS Trepang SSN 674: Fast Attack Boat
Research
- Biological and Organic Control of Plant Diseases
- Development of Novel Organic Amendments/Fertilizers/Biostimulants
- Nitrogen/Fertilizer Fate in Soils
- Environmental Stress Physiology: Drought/Temperature/Salinity
- Biotechnology Applications/Cell-Tissue Culture/Genetic Modification
- Fertilizer Development/Efficacy Testing in Field and Laboratory
- Species/Cultivar Evaluation
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Cultivation - The Weed League
07.2023 - Current
Director of Cultivation - Greencraft LLC
11.2022 - 06.2023
Cannabis Consultant - Curaleaf, Inc.
- 12.2020
Director of Plant Science and Tissue Culture Operations - Vertikal Technologies
Cannabis Consultant - Exotica Farms
Cannabis Consultant - Alternative Agriculture LLC
Chief Technical Officer/Commercial Cannabis (indoor) - ZJ Enterprises
Master Grower, Commercial Cannabis (Indoor, Greenhouse) - The Heirloom Collective, Inc.
Chief Agronomist/Researcher - Clade9
Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences - University of Massachusetts
University of Illinois - Ph.D., Agronomy/Horticulture
University of Rhode Island - M.S., Plant and Soil Sciences
University of Rhode Island - B.S., Plant and Soil Sciences
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