Bob Calkin
President, Cannabis Career Institute – Green Dot Consulting
Robert is founder of Cannabis Career Institute and has been running the Green Dot Guy Cannabis Delivery service in Los Angeles since 1988. Bob has been teaching delivery classes at Oaksterdam University since 2008. His unique approach to the cannabis business has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs start their own successful businesses. His book and video, “Start Your Own Medical Marijuana Delivery Service” has sold thousands of copies.
Robert Rudnitsky
President, Pennsylvania Cannabis Industry
Director of Marketing and Operations For Pennsylvania - Cannabis Career Institute
Robert is the Executive Director of PhillyNorml currently serving on the Board of Directors, Pennsylvania’s largest community of Cannabis activists. For over 30 years Robert has spent his time lobbying and working on “’decrim” initiatives. His team crafted a Memorandum, introduced by State Representative Jordan Harris on June 10, 2016, which would be a state wide “recreational cannabis legalization” law incorporating the partnership with current Liquor Control Board. Currently, Robert is working with Senator Sharif Street and his excellent staff. Senator Street is blazing the trail for Pennsylvania's two newest commodities, Cannabis and Hemp. With a task list that is endless, Robert spends time on legislative initiatives, community outreach, reduction of opioid addiction, and much more. Robert is proud to volunteer with such an awesome group of servants to our society.
Inspired by personal family tragedies Robert has been dedicated to studying and improving the way society uses Cannabis and hosts monthly education and networking events for the Philadelphia community. Robert is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of successful experience as President of his current corporations which include, Industrial /Residential Recycling, Graphic Arts and Real-estate .
Gerry Bedore, PhD, MBA
Gerry Bedore is widely known as a thought leader in technology-enhanced learning models. He was a co-founder of Socrates Distance Learning Technology Group, and has published studies and books focused on online student success and completion rates. Gerry is recognized as having developed many of the most successful higher education online programs in the world.
As a horticulturist for the State of Georgia, Gerry was recognized for his expertise in entomology and pathology in the care of plant life in the state. He has authored one book, co-authored two books, and has served as a research chair and committee member for more than 200 studies in education, psychology and business disciplines.
Gerry served in roles ranging from institutional president to assistant dean for doctoral programs. He is a member of the Cannabis Career Institute, is involved with cannabis agricultural development with Green Cures Inc., is serving in a leadership role for Cannabis State University, and is a U.S. disabled veteran.
Michael Chernis
The California MMJ laws are a key area of focus for Mr. Chernis. He has represented clients seeking to form legal MMJ collectives; storefront and mobile dispensaries; cultivators; MMJ patients and doctors; landlords and others seeking to do business with such collectives; as well as individuals and businesses in civil litigation with municipalities arising from such activities. Mr. Chernis also represents individuals and businesses in federal criminal matters and those charged with violating state MMJ laws.
Gary Maciel
Indoor and Outdoor Growing
Gary Maciel has been growing marijuana for over 40 years. An expert in energy efficiency and master of innovation, his ability to customize grow spaces is unrivaled. Gary currently oversees medical marijuana grow operations all over the United States. He frequently lectures at Cannabis Career Institute seminars about advanced grow techniques. Ideal for the home closet grower or warehouse operations, Gary’s advice will help increase current yields or develop a strategy to diversify your yield.
Cheech Rodriguez
The owner of a prominent edibles company in the Los Angeles area, Cheech is known as an edibles operation expert. Additionally, Cheech as 15 years of cultivation experience.
Jeff Riedel, MA
Director of Enrollment
After retirement from a 20 year career specializing in Logistics and Management in the U.S. Air Force, Jeff earned his Graduate Degree in Organizational Management and started a very successful career in marketing and finance. In 2009, Jeff attended Oaksterdam University in Oakland and then was one of the first students of Cannabis Career Institute. The CCI class proved to be inspirational as Jeff decided to escape a lucrative corporate job and went “all in” in the cannabis business. With a well-planned business strategy, Jeff immersed himself in every aspect of the industry – from seed to sale. Jeff’s industrious nature and business acumen helped glean amazing results. Since the beginning of the decade, Jeff has overseen 85 cannabis harvests and has shared thousands of clones and small plants with fellow cannabis aficionados, These cultivation achievements have led Jeff to meet many growers, patients and dispensary owners as well as gain invaluable experience about medical marijuana. As well as having a bountiful knowledge about the cannabis business, Jeff is an indoor grow operations expert who has helped dozens of new growers get their start in the cannabis business.
Will Kuss
Will Kuss has been a medical patient and grower in California since 2005. He has his B.S. in Agronomy & Soil Science from Auburn University. He has spent time growing in Northern California, in addition to overseeing large scale medical grows in California, Arizona, Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Will is an expert in coco & hydroponics, as well as using new lighting technology such as LEDs. He has relocated to the East Coast to be available to consult with new dispensary and cultivation site owners.