WHO WE ARE

Executive Director

Dan Livingston has been working with the association since its founding in 2019. His work experience has varied widely in the fields of agriculture, technology, and politics – always with a focus on building community. He’s a former Binghamton City Councilmember, a co-founder of the Binghamton Urban Farm, and a digital efficiency consultant with nonprofits and agribusinesses. He is passionate about combating corporate consolidation in the cannabis industry to bring prosperity and generational wealth to communities across NYS.

Director of Government Relations

Mayor Hal McCabe has worked in every level of government over the past 25 years and comes to CANY with a passion for helping small farmers and small businesses. Hal’s other former careers include: SCUBA instructor, motorcycle racing instructor, motorcycle franchise owner, and corporate espionage expert. A graduate of Ithaca College, Hal is an avid hunter, camper, lover of chicken wings, and he was once a guest on Oprah (no, he won’t say why). He has been the Mayor of the Village of Homer, NY, since 2017.

Director of Information Services

Prior to receiving his computer science degree, Alistair worked as a licensed hospital laboratory technician, while freelance copy-editing sociology textbooks. Now he uses his technical skills to help support CANY staff and members through software and IT. Alistair plays Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup competitively, and enjoys reading ebooks with a dog or two on his lap.

President
Founder – Head + Heal

In 2017 Allan Gandelman co-founded New York Hemp Oil and Head & Heal. Passionate about organic agriculture, Allan’s goal is to support the health and livelihoods of the people in his community. As Founder and President of the New York State Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, he has been leading the way on hemp legislation in New York and has long been a champion of small farmers.

Vice President
Co-Founder HR Botanicals

Andrew’s company, HR Botanicals, LLC, obtained one of the earliest licenses to grow and process hemp in New York State. Andrew takes a horticultural approach to growing his crop, hand cultivating all his plants with the goal of maximizing cannabinoid and terpene profiles. His work also crosses into research on the use of cannabis medicines in clinical settings.

Board Member
Operator, Just Breathe

He says, “You find the things that are wrong in society, then you figure out if you can create different companies or organizations that can support those in need. This endeavor provides the opportunity to use cannabis as a common denominator to pull communities together.”

Brittany not only leads the all-female team at TONIC as the FOUNDER & CEO, but she also co-founded Tricolla Farms and Bardo Labs. From full-supply chain control and the adoption of industry-leading authentication technology, to TONIC’s monthly giving initiatives and Bardo’s social equity programs, Carbone is paving the way for an industry that operates with intention, integrity, and inclusivity.

Board Member
Founder – Naturae

Owen Martinetti is a co-founder of Potency, Snoozy, Level Up Sciences, and
Naturae. In 2017, Owen left Baruch College to start Naturae after receiving a
license to cultivate and process industrial hemp in New York. During the peak
of COVID, Owen worked with several state agencies to secure millions of
masks, hand sanitizer, and testing kits. More recently, Owen co-founded
Potency, a recreational cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts, and Snoozy, a leading sleep-focused cannabis brand.

Franklin Henderson works for Cornell University Cooperative Extension in New York City for the Hydroponics Aquaculture Aquaponics Science and Technology Program. He is enrolled in Cornell University’s Masters in Professional Studies Degree Program for Horticulture specializing in Controlled Environment Agriculture. He is also a formally trained artist his skills in pattern recognition, information synthesis and complex systems. Franklin applies the culmination of these skills to pursue progress in areas of Water Justice, Food Justice and Restorative Justice.

Board Member
Co-Founder Eaton Hemp

Daniel Dolgin is the Co-Founder of Eaton Hemp, an organic hemp wellness company specializing in premium hemp seed snacks and CBD products. He is also the Co-Owner of JD Farms, a cutting-edge, sustainable organic farm sitting on over 3,000 acres in Central New York. In March 2016, JD Farms became the first and only private farm in the state to receive an industrial hemp license.