Senior consultants who’ve actually run the function.

CFE Consulting Group is led by a bench of industry veterans — founders, COOs, quality directors, and compliance leaders who built and ran the operations they now help others build. Every engagement is led by one of them.

Leadership

The three principals behind every engagement.

The founding partners of CFE bring 60+ years of combined leadership across architecture, manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and operations — with national-scale cannabis exits in the rearview mirror.

CEO

Ryan Cook

Ryan is a dynamic and accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience spanning architecture, construction management, and as a pioneering entrepreneur in the cannabis industry. He played a key role in expanding operations nationally, winning licenses and launching successful retail and cultivation facilities before being acquired by Jushi Holdings Inc. As EVP of Operations at Jushi, Ryan led facility design & construction, innovation, and operational scaling — helping the company go public and driving significant revenue growth.

COO

Kim Eastman

With over a decade in the cannabis industry and 20 years of leadership expertise, Kim has shaped high-impact cannabis manufacturing operations across both medical and adult-use markets. Starting her career with a background in chemistry and 10 years in the nutraceutical and natural products field, she developed a strong foundation she brings to cannabis production. Previously VP of Manufacturing at Jushi Inc., she managed national operations — driving facility design, product development, and operational efficiency.

CSO

Eli Melendez

Eli is an expert in regulatory compliance with extensive knowledge of FDA and global standards, skilled in analyzing complex documentation to ensure adherence to GMP. He has a proven track record of leadership in developing quality assurance programs, implementing Six Sigma and Lean principles, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across cross-functional teams.

11
Senior consultants
200+
Combined years of experience
20+
U.S. regulated markets served
06
Disciplines covered end-to-end
Specialist Bench

Practitioners across every discipline.

From compliance and construction to genetics, extraction, and security — our specialists step in exactly where your operation needs them, embedded with your team.

Legal · BizDev · Strategy

Todd Green, Esq.

Todd’s diverse experience enables him to fill multiple executive-level roles, providing leadership across various functions while optimizing both time and financial resources. His multifaceted skill set delivers significant value by streamlining operations and enhancing organizational efficiency.

Genetics & Breeding

Jay Price

Jay specializes in cultivation, management, operations, product development, breeding, and genetics consulting. He provides expert guidance to the cannabis and hemp industries, with experience working with commercial clients domestically and internationally — offering tailored solutions to optimize production and growth.

Operational Excellence

Dave Powers

With over 20 years of process-focused experience, Dave is an accomplished leader dedicated to advancing organizational culture and efficiency. His expertise in Engineering and Leadership, combined with a strong emphasis on Lean/Six Sigma principles, has enabled him to drive continuous improvement and strategic performance innovation across diverse industries.

Commercialization · Branding

Mickey Kreger

Mickey is a visionary executive with over 16 years of experience in operational leadership within highly regulated industries. As Founder and CEO of Terminal Management Group, he has driven profitability and growth by securing key partnerships and delivering compliant payment solutions in high-risk markets.

Compliance

Colin Mudd

Colin is a compliance expert with nearly 20 years of experience guiding businesses through licensing, compliance, and operational challenges. As founder of Konopé Consulting and former compliance leader at Incredibles, he has helped cannabis businesses maintain regulatory integrity, streamline operations, and prepare for state inspections across multiple U.S. markets.

Construction

David Duden

David brings nearly 20 years of expertise in operational and construction project management, delivering solutions through a systematic, results-driven approach. His meticulous attention to detail and focus on fostering a collaborative team environment ensure the efficient and effective execution of complex projects.

Security

Shawn Wurtsmith

Shawn is a seasoned security and risk management expert, specializing in CSO outsourcing for mission-critical facilities and critical infrastructure globally. He has implemented cutting-edge security solutions for top-tier healthcare, cannabis and pharmaceutical companies, enhancing client operations through advanced systems and strategic leadership.

Extraction

Nelson Chi

Nelson is a dynamic entrepreneur with deep expertise in launching and managing cannabis manufacturing businesses, currently serving as Founder and Managing Partner of Phire Labs. With a background in cannabis extraction R&D and leadership roles, he has built multiple award-winning ventures and holds an expansive genetics collection geared for high-yield extracts.

The best team you can hire is one that has already done it before.
— CFE Consulting Group

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