Executive Board
Ted Haney
Board Chair
President & Ceo
Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA)
Calgary, AB, Canada
Ted Haney manages the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance – representing the industry in both domestic and international markets. Ted’s dedication to international cooperation within the global hemp industry has been demonstrated by his leading roles in: facilitating cooperative hemp research and standards development within the CHTA; elevating the profile of hemp within the ASTM International Cannabis Committee (D37) and Co-Chairing its Industrial Hemp Subcommittee (D37.07); and, forming the Federation of International Hemp Organizations.
Ted earned his MSc in Agriculture (1991) from the University of Alberta; specializing in natural resource economics. Ted managed Canada’s national beef export organization in a diverse cultural environment for 20 years. While serving on the International Meat Secretariate Executive Council, he represented that organization in the FAO Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock process.
Ted was appointed as Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO) interim Board Chair in March 2022 and elected as Board Chair in November 2022. He is committed to FIHO success. Ted enjoys working cooperatively with Directors, members, and key stakeholders in developing FIHO as a vital organization that allows the global hemp industry to collaborate, coordinate, communicate, and remove key barriers to industry growth and development.
Top 3 Board Skills
Governance, Policy/Advocacy, Leadership/Teamwork
Daniel Kruse
Director, Board Vice-Chair
President
European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)
Brussels, Belgium
In 1995, Daniel started his career in the industrial hemp industry to realise his vision: the successful combination of ecology and economy. As the Founder and Managing Director of Hempro International GmbH and HempConsult GmbH, two of Europe’s leading hemp players, he has decades of experience in hemp food production.
Since 2013, Daniel has served as a board member of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). In 2019, he was elected President of EIHA for the first time and re-elected for another term in 2021. At EIHA Daniel is particularly active in his field of knowledge of cannabinoids in foods. His cooperation with international experts and the advisory committee of EIHA combines the profound know-how from practice and science in the hemp and food industry.
Daniel was appointed as the Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO) interim Vice-Chair March 2022 and elected as Vice Board Chair in November 2022. Serving as a FIHO Director allows him to assist the global hemp industry reach its ecological and economic goals.
Top 3 Board Skills
Business/Management, Risk Management, Hemp Food ProcessingPresident
European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)
Brussels, Belgium
Patrick Atagi
Director and Treasurer
National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC)
Washington, DC, USA
Charles Kovess
Director AND Secretary, Communications & Engagement Committee Co-Chair, Policy and Regulation Committee Chair
President
Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance (AIHA)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
CEO of Textile & Composite Industries Pty Ltd, Australian supplier of the D8 Decorticator. Since 2012. Secretary of Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance since 2017 and Charles became President in 2023.
Practised as commercial and tax lawyer for 20 years, after graduating with Honours Degree in Law. Also gained Masters Degree in Law a few years later. Partner in the 10th largest law firm in Australia before changing career in 1993 to be a professional speaker, educator, author and executive coach, focusing on passion, leadership, strategy and team building. Consulted to 35 of Australia’s largest corporations over the years on these fields.
As a FIHO Director, Charles brings an Australian perspective to global expansion of hemp and the desire to contribute the benefit of 29 years’ experience in hemp from TCI that has been passed on to him. Charles is committed to hemp becoming a mainstream, large agribusiness globally, rather than a cottage industry.
Top 3 Board Skills
Governance, Business/Management, Legal/Regulatory
Board Members
Frederic Vallier
Secretary General
Frederic Vallier serves as FIHO’s Secretary General. His six-year term as Secretary General of a major European organization provides a base of knowledge organizational development, consensus-based decision making, and liaising with intergovernmental agencies. In particular, Frederic has deep experience in the field of global sustainability and climate change mitigation.
Frederic is a developer able to coordinate a large number of actors to deliver results-driven solutions for complex problems. He enjoys managing projects that help teams achieve results and collaborators use their full potential to grow as individuals and as team players.
Mr. Vallier leads and gives vision to his work and that of associated teams. He is a communicator, able to address high-level industry and government leaders. Frederic’s diplomatic skills allow him to: negotiate; build sound compromises; and, create coalitions that bring together large groups of organizations and networks. His knowledge of the European and global political and institutional circles goes from local governments to the highest positions of the European and intergovernmental institutions.
Top 3 Board Skills
Business/Management, Hemp Production, Financial/Accounting
Hunter Buffington
Director, Sustainability Committee - Chair
In my current on the Policy Committee of the National Industrial Hemp Council, I utilize my experience in emerging industries and system modeling to review and understand federal and state policy, legislation, regulation and research impacts on the hemp industry. This includes reviewing legislation, rules and statutes and working closely with researchers and Departments of Agriculture. I also own and operate Ag Policy Solutions, which provides services that connect innovative agribusinesses and farmers to resources, research, and partners that accelerate opportunities to benefit rural economies.
I received my Master’s degree in 2010 in Nonprofit Management and sustainable development using system applications. I have worked internationally with marginalized communities working to develop their economies and mitigate climate pressures. In the hemp industry I was the executive Director of the Colorado Hemp Industries Association from its beginning in 2014 until I became the executive director for the Hemp Feed Coalition from 2018-2021, when I then joined Santa Fe Farms.
There is a need for global engagement and collaboration to ensure that industrial hemp can reach its full market potential and access. To achieve this researchers and policy experts from across the globe need to work together to overcome the stigma of cannabis and stabilize the hemp supply chain to grow hemp markets across the world. While the US is still developing hemp knowledge and production; many parts of the world never suffered prohibition; meanwhile climate change and the emerging carbon market need to be synergized with agriculture production and manufacturing processes. As a FIHO Director, I work to bring these goals to fruition.
Top 3 Board Skills
Governance, Business/Management, Legal/Regulatory
Kyle Bingham
Director
President
Texas Hemp Growers Association (TxHGA)
Meadow, TX, USA
Kyle Bingham is a 5th generation Texas farmer, serving as Managing Partner for Bingham Organic Farms and Bingham Family Vineyards and Winery. The Bingham family were some of the first organic cotton growers in Texas, instrumental in the establishment of the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Co-op. Among the first grape growers on the High Plains, Bingham Vineyards was influential in developing another thriving industry for their rural community.
Continuing the tradition of diversification, Kyle began exploring hemp as a rotational crop option in 2019. Since that time, he has hosted the most extensive on-farm trials for hemp fiber and grain in the state of Texas. As President of the Texas Hemp Growers Association, Kyle has built an international network and developed a reputation for his knowledge across the entire industrial hemp value stream. From genetics and agronomic practices to end-product development, Kyle has an unparalleled understanding of hemp from the unique perspective of the row crop farmer. In addition to the ASTM D37 Committee Kyle serves on the working committee for the newly established Federation of International Hemp Organizations.
Top 3 Board Skills
Business/Management, Legal/Regulatory, Risk Management
Joseph Hickey Sr
DirectoR, COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT CO-CHAIR
President
Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Association (KHGCA)
Lexington, KY, USA
In 1993, Joseph Hickey discovered and revived the 1942 Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Association and began collecting feral Kentucky hemp seeds. Then in 1994 encouraged Governor Jones to create Kentucky’s Hemp Task Force helping raise National awareness for hemp farming in America. Joe organized America’s first International Hemp Conference in 1996 and afterwards strategized with Woody Harrelson to plant four hemp seeds to test Kentucky law. He helped gain support from Kentucky and National Farm Bureaus for hemp research and farming and in 1998 was a founding board member of Kenex Ltd., the first commercial industrial hemp fiber and seed operation in Canada.
Joe was involved in drafting and passing Kentucky’s first hemp legislation in 2001 and is a founding member of the non-profits Friends of Hemp, Hemp Industries Association, Kentucky Hemp Association, U.S. Standing Committee of Hemp Organizations, and Global Hemp Association Advisory Board.
Top 3 Board Skills
Business/Management, Marketing/Promotion, Public Relations/Media
Lorenza Romanese
Director
Managing Director
European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)
Brussels, Belgium
Lorenza is the Managing Director of EIHA. Based in EIHA’s Brussels office, Lorenza is an experienced policy advisor and communication manager at the European level. She has led EIHA’s efforts in Brussels since February 2019, having worked with a number of MEPs to propose reforms affecting hemp in the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy. Lorenza previously advised interests in the oil and gas sector and led the European Association of independent Winegrowers.
The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) represents the common interests of hemp farmers, producers and traders working with hemp fibres, shives, seeds, leaves and cannabinoids. Our main task is to serve, protect and represent the hemp sector in the EU and international policymaking. EIHA covers different areas for the application of hemp, namely its use for construction materials, textiles, cosmetics, feed, food and supplements.
In November 2019, Lorenza helped to assemble a consortium of companies conducting CBD and THC toxicological studies in humans and animals within EIHA. She is currently overseeing parts of the regulatory process and scientific approach.
Lorenza was appointed in March 2022 as Co-Chair of the FIHO Policy and Regulation Committee.
Top 3 Board Skills
Advocacy, Policy, Strategy
Keanan Stone
Director, Research and Standards Committee Co-Chair
Vice Chair, Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA)
Keanan Stone is currently General Manager of Valley Bio Limited, a registered seed establishment and varietal research site. Together with her husband Reuben, they run Stone Farms, a 1,000 acre seed production farm specializing in pedigree seed production of hemp, soybeans, cereals and other niche crops.
Born and raised in rural Ontario, Keanan is a committed “agvocate” and avid community volunteer. She is currently serving as a director for the Renfrew Federation of Agriculture, is past chair of the Renfrew Victoria Hospital board of directors and is a past president of the Boys and Girls Club of Pembroke. Keanan and Reuben are also active members of several industry associations, including the Canadian Seed Growers Association and Ontario Soil Health Network.
Keanan and Reuben currently reside in Micksburg, Ontario with their four beautiful children, Blair, Bridget, Enid and Heidi.
Top 3 Board Skills
Governance, Business Management, Public Relations/Media