Our Story

CEO, Chairman & Founder

Steven Saxton

With over 30 years of experience, Steven Saxton is a successful serial entrepreneur and highly regarded expert in corporate structuring, private equity, public companies, corporate refinancing, and capital raising for startups. Mr. Saxton has been the lead negotiator for numerous partnerships, mergers, acquisitions and rollups for private and public companies. For the past 25 years, Mr. Saxton has worked as a Producer, Manager, Agent, Distributor and Financier in the Entertainment Industry. Mr. Saxton has served as the Founder, CEO and Chairman of Hollywood Studios, Artist International (AI) and Models International. Link – IMDB

Mr. Saxton has Executive Produced or co-financed 47 films that have accumulated 196 Nominations and 107 Wins including Lone Survivor, 2 Guns, The Kids Are All Right, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Good Morning Vietnam, Zero Hour (Highest grossing film in Venezuelan history) and Honey I Shrunk The Kids which have grossed over $1.6+ Billion at the worldwide box office. Link – By The Numbers

Representation/TV – Artist International has managed writers, directors and actors. AI’s talent has created, written or starred in Californication, The Newsroom, Sleepy Hollow, Twisted, Sons of Anarchy, How I Met Your Mother, Dexter, Sopranos, NCIS Shameless, Desperate Housewives, The OC, Law and Order, Community, and numerous other highly regarded shows.

Fashion – Models International is an agency that has represented high profile fashion, commercial and print models for the LA market and internationally.

Music – Prior to focusing on film, Mr. Saxton was a highly regarded music executive, having worked with the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Edgar Winter, Steve Vigh, Les Brown and his Band of Renown, Lou Raw, Steve Lukather, 69 Boys, Horace Silver, Taylor Eigsti, and many others. Mr. Saxton founded Bop City Records and during that time worked with legendary recording producers/engineers with 200+ Golden and Platinum Records including, Al Schmitt (21 Grammys and 2 Latin Grammys, and artists such as Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Bob Dillion), Ed Cherney (3 Grammys and 6 Grammy nominations, and artists such as Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, and Iggy Pop), and Elliot Scheiner (7 Grammys, 24 Grammy nominations, and 4 Emmy Nominations, and artists such as Aerosmith, Foo Fighters, Eagles and Queen).

Investment Banking/Corporate – Prior to transitioning into the entertainment sector, Mr. Saxton was a President of Texca Petroleum Oil and Gas Operating Company, former Vice President at NASD broker/dealing for 21st Century Securities, as well as a Commodities Broker for a boutique Commodities firm.

Personal – In 2004, Mr. Saxton was inducted as a Knight by the Knights of Malta Coptic Catholic. Sir Steven Saxton’s nomination has been endorsed by Grand Master H.S.H Prince Antonio Ruspoli, approved by Cardinal Stephanos II, Patriarch of Alexandria, blessed by his eminence, Pope John Paul II and is on record at the Vatican in Rome. Mr. Saxton is 53 years old, and currently resides in Malibu, CA with his wife and daughter.

Sales & Marketing Director

Katherine Guevara

Ms. Guevara joined the Green Gorilla team in 2014, and brings competent skills of networking, problem solving, resourcefulness, creativity, superior decision making, assertiveness, flexibility, communication, and the ability to cope with pressure. At Green Gorilla her roles range from Business Administration to Accounts Director. Ms. Guevara is involved in Corporate Filings, Distribution & Wholesale/Retail Accounts Management, E-commerce Customer Relationships, Brand Awareness, Marketing Strategies, Company Events, and Employee Training.

Brand Strategist

Lee Daley

Mr. Daley has more than thirty years of international business experience. Chairman and CEO Saatchi & Saatchi UK, Executive Chairman HHCL London, WW CEO Red Cell Network (WPP), Board Director Batey Group (Asia), Global Chief Strategy Officer McCann-Erickson, Founding Partner Amster Yard New York, and Strategic Partner Endeavor New York. Board Positions include Manchester United, RocketSpace, MioGlobal, and Miami Ad School. Strategic Advisor to McLaren Technology Group, Equidate, Boxed.com, and Ronoc Asia. Brand experience includes Coca-Cola Co, Microsoft, American Express, Diageo, P&G, Apple, LEGO, Nestle, L’Oréal, LVMH, Lexus, Unilever, Alfa Romeo, InBev, Visa, Vodafone, Intel, Bulgari Hotels, T-Mobil, RBS, and BMW. HBS/McKinsey Panel 2006. Fellow of Royal Society of Arts. Chief Strategist Live Earth 2007.

COO - Chief Operations Officer

Steve De Forest

Mr. De Forest’s background includes C-Level, Executive and Senior Management positions and responsibilities for such companies as Canon USA, Whitehall Laboratories, Leiner Nutritional, Levlad Laboratories, Twincraft Soap, Bradford Soap Works and AMMCO with extensive experience managing multiple consumer retail channels including: Food and Drug, Mass Market, Specialty, Direct Sell, Direct Response and eCommerce.

Mr. De Forest’s category/market management experience and expertise includes: CPG, HBA, Personal Care, Cosmetics, Natural Products, Health and Wellness, and Lifestyle and during his career, Mr. De Forest has been instrumental with the development, strategy, production and market launches of Advil, ProActiv, GAP Scents and Target Private Label Hair Care. Mr. De Forest began his undergraduate studies at UCLA and completed his education at the University of California at Irvine with disciplines in both biology and psychology. Mr. De Forest is 61 years old, father of three and resides in Hermosa Beach, California with his wife.

Sales VP

Herb Lewis

With 30 years experience in the Natural Products industry Herb Lewis has been creating world class performance cultures and a dynamic salesforce. His success in exploding small and startup brands into top selling Industry leaders Include iconic names such as; Natures Plus, Country Life and New Chapter; which Herb grew from 2.75M to 120M and selling to P&G.

The unique skills and systems Mr. Lewis has invented and developed added to inspirational leadership include; attracting powerful charismatic need to succeed talent, best in class ongoing training, structuring unique measuring  tools oriented management system, 12 point evaluation and weekly published ranking program, and performance pay plans, all driven by enjoinment compelling missions and close camaraderie team spirit de core.

Mr. Lewis’s passion for herbal wellness and healing led him to develop a Costa Rican biodynamic spice estate, specializing in rare potent blue ring ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon.In 1998, Mr. Lewis owned  the first herbal company to introduce Super Critical Dense Gas Extraction, concentrating herbal constituents 200X, while allowing prices calibrated finger print profiles geared to healing functions and exact herbal concentrates for every production batch.

Research, seminars and teaching courses on the healing values of cannabinoids led Mr. Lewis to investment in Hemp initiatives and in dispensaries. Today, Herb is thrilled to join the Green Gorilla organic CBD brand, and help build the super team of sales instructors to deliver the Green Gorilla unique message of product purity, potency and efficacy worldwide.

Chief Medical Advisor

Dr. Jas Matharu-Daley

Chief Medical Advisor

Dr. Jas Matharu-Daley is an eminent family physician with a specialization in women’s health.

She has a Master’s Degree in Occupational & Environmental Medicine and Degrees from Manchester University Medical School, Mount Sinai New York, and qualifications in Dermatology. She is a state-licensed physician in New York and California. She is a wellness and nutrition fanatic and has raised two children while living in London, New York, and Malibu.

Chief Science Officer

Av Singh, PH.D, P.AG

Dr. Av Singh is one of Canada’s leading authorities on organic agriculture. Prior to serving as the Organic and Small-Scale Farming Specialist in Nova Scotia, Singh worked at the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada and currently holds the Just Us! Chair in Small Farm Sustainability at the Just Us! Centre for Small Farms. Canada is the world leader in hemp grain production and Singh has been a consultant to many of the larger organic hemp producers, placing a great emphasis on soil health and fertility as the prerequisite for quality hemp oil. Dr. Singh also serves as a scientific advisor to the American Cannabis Company helping to design a nutrient-dense soil for medicinal marijuana.

Singh is eager to work with Green Gorilla to ensure that cannabinoid production meets the needs of the end user and deliver a product that is based on good science and the values of organic agriculture.

European Sales Partner

Hans Kåre Lundestad

With more than 30 years of experience in the European Natural Products industry, Hans Kåre Lundestad has developed leading knowledge and skills of business development in the European Food Supplement industry. He has a unique flair for seeing opportunities and has a clear sense of what direction the industry must take for future success. 

His success in introducing new brands in the Scandinavian and European market into top-selling brands Includes iconic names such as; Natures Plus, Gaia Herbs, Host Defense, Reserveage, and New Chapter. His ability to select the best brands for the European market is second to none. His skills in developing and building brands are also awarded the Gullblyanten (Golden Pencil) and Norsk Designråd (Norwegian Design agency).

Mr. Lundestad’s passion for herbal wellness and healing led him to this industry for over 30 years ago, where he started with essential oils and aromatherapy in medical and beauty treatment. 

His passion for high-end brands, research, seminars, and teaching courses on the healing values led Mr. Lundestad to Green Gorilla. 

And today is his company EcoBrands, the exclusive partner for Green Gorilla in Europe with a long term agreement. Hans and his team are thrilled to join the Green Gorilla family, and he is now building the super team of sales instructors and marketing team to deliver the Green Gorilla unique message of product purity, potency, and efficacy in Europe.

EcoBrands is a Norwegian based company with offices in The Nederland, Sweden, and UK.

Creative Director

Kwaku Alston

Mr. Alston has photographed some of the most famous faces of our time. Clients include Barack Obama, Beyonce, Kendall Jenner, The NY Times, Time, Amgen, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Target, Verizon, Universal Studios, Disney, Amazon, Sony Music and ESPN. His photography is known worldwide for its fresh, unaffected feel, and how it strikes a balance between contemporary documentary photography and classic celebrity portraiture.

Creative Director

Michael Rainin

Mr. Rainin is a Director of films, commercials, music videos and television. For 20 years, Mr. Rainin has produced award winning feature films, shorts, PSA’s commercials and music videos rich with emotion and vibrant imagery.

Sports Marketing Director

Treaven Duffy

Treaven Duffy joined the Green Gorilla team in 2020 and serves as the Sports Marketing Director. Sports, specifically basketball, has been a major influence in Treaven’s life since he was born. His dad, Bill Duffy, is one of the top sports agents in the industry. Treaven started playing basketball at the age of five and continued through college. While attending Saint Mary’s College, Treaven was a member of their Division I basketball team. He had the opportunity to play with and against some of the top players in the world. Treaven’s love for sports never wavered and he now focuses on the business aspect by bringing CBD to the sports world.

Corp. Treasurer

Gordon Jones, CPA

Mr. Jones, certified public accountant with over 30 years experience and founder of Peregrine Accounting provides contract CFO services to small public and private companies. Client served around the globe. A wide range of industries served including manufacturing, mineral extraction, environmentally friendly enterprises and e-commerce. Services include preparation of accounting documentation for independent audit, financial projection, due diligence on acquisitions and merger accounting.

Securities Lawyer

Pete Wilke, ESQ.

Mr. Wilke specializes in business planning and formation, financing, development, operation and litigation; corporations, sophisticated partnerships, LLC’s and joint ventures, preparing private placement securities and public offerings, raising venture capital, or obtaining conventional or offshore financing.

Mr. Wilke is a member of the California and Washington State Bar Associations, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He graduated from UCLA in 1971 with a degree in Political Science and obtained his J.D. from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington in 1976. Mr. Wilke is advising Green Gorilla primarily in regards to corporate structure, mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and financing and investments.

Director of Customer Experience & Fulfillment

Sheri Adelman

Ms. Adelman brings 20+ years of experience in retail sales and management, customer service, internet sales, and operations. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from FIDM with a degree in Marketing.

Controller

Chris Tune

Mr. Tune brings decades of experience in accounting, auditing and finance. He has served as General Ledger Accountant, Controller and as a business reporting developer. Mr. Tune brings vast experience in technology as well as developing processes and procedures that stand the test of time.

Executive Assistant to CEO / Paralegal

Marie Galvin

Ms. Galvin is a seasoned paraprofessional with 30+ years of demonstrated ability to provide farm to table support to high level executives and attorneys. Ms. Galvin is the Paralegal for Green Gorilla and provides right hand support to CEO Steven Saxton.

Texas Regional Sales Manager

Sara Klein

Sara’s love of natural healing comes from personal experience. After herbs, nutrition, and energy medicine completely dissolved her own health challenges she started work at The Sunflower Shoppe, a family owned health food store in Fort Worth, TX.

In 2011, Sara joined the sales team at New Chapter, one of the natural product industry’s most innovative and trusted vitamin & herbal supplement companies. She gained a high level of recognition for the inspiration, strategy, and sales growth she brought to New Chapter and the retailers she supported.

Sara came to Green Gorilla in 2019 as Regional Sales Manager believing in the transformational power of healing the body. When we heal the body and inspire the soul, big things happen! Hemp and CBD play pivotal roles in the path to wellness and renewal. Sara is thrilled to be a part of Green Gorilla’s commitment to protecting and understanding the hemp plant and producing the most powerful CBD available.

Director of Sales (Southern California)

Marc Sallaz

Marc has enjoyed a successful and meaningful career the last 22 years in the Natural Product Industry. Driven by a sense of mission and purpose, Marc has been an impactful sales executive with extensive successes in driving sales and opening new channels of revenue for industry companies. An accomplished team first, dedicated professional whose relationship building, insight and educating, has produced significant increased revenue streams for companies consistently over his career. He understands that Green Gorilla is a difference maker that delivers botanical healing support unlike any other company and is now part of the team that will bring Green Gorilla’s healing mission to the world.

Regional Sales Executive

Chris Pajak

Chris F. Pajak has been involved in the natural products arena for over 15 yrs. Whether as a sales representative, a sales manager or a broker, his passion is for helping others through supplementation along with proper nutrition.

In 2005, he became a Nutritional Counselor & Wellness Coach and in 2009, he received a certificate as a C.N.H.P., Certified Natural Health Professional from Certified Natural Health Professionals, Inc., a division of Trinity School of Natural Health, Indianapolis, IN. He also has done numerous lectures on the causes of health issues.

Senior Accountant Collections

Ellye Rashkin

Ellye Rashkin joined Green Gorilla in September of 2019. She brings 15 years of experience in the accounting field. Over the years she has worked for small and big businesses in the Ventura County area where she was raised. Ellye graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in English in 2000 and returned to school in 2008 to acquire her degree in Financial Accounting in 2010 from the University of Phoenix. Ellye has seen that Green Gorilla CBD products has dramatically increased the vitality and liveliness of her two Siberian Huskies and the wellness it has provided her mind and body.

Communications Coordinator

Joel Hayes, MPPA

Mr. Hayes joined Green Gorilla in 2019 and has extensive experience working for a United States Congressional office, the County of Ventura’s planning division and a nonprofit that helps youth. A graduate from California Lutheran University with a master’s degree in public policy and administration, he has traveled to Singapore attending the International Conference of Business, Economics and information to present his paper on economic sustainability and tourism for Croatia.

Joel has extensive experience networking with public administrators across the United States as well as writing on various topics. Joel brings policy analysis, problem solving skills and communications research to Green Gorilla and is excited to be a part of Green Gorilla’s commitment to help people and protect the environment.

Visual Designer

Katherine DeOsuna

Ms. DeOsuna is a Visual Designer at Green Gorilla, and works on everything related to marketing, website design, and packaging. Previously she freelanced for small businesses and designed for TEDxSanLuisObispo. Kat graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cal Poly with a degree in Graphic Communication.

Email Marketing Design

Eddie Cobian

Mr. Cobian joined Green Gorilla in 2019 as Email Marketing and Web Designer, and brings over 5 years of creative design experience in graphic and web design. Mr Cobian’s experience in the creative space includes Fortune 500 companies and Startups: East West Bank, Mercury Insurance, and LeadFerret. Eddie began his undergraduate studies at Cal State University Northridge, with a degree in Graphic Design.

Customer Service Specialist

Jenny Dao

Jenny Dao joined Green Gorilla in late February 2020.  Jenny brings 17+ years of experience in customer service, sales, marketing, and technology.  Along with 12+ years of experience in hospitality, culinary arts, and nutrition.  Jenny holds two degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality- and in Liberal Arts and Sciences.  She is currently in pursuit of her third degree of BS in Metaphysical Sciences.

Production & Inventory Coordinator

Edgar Guevara

Edgar Guevara joined Green Gorilla in 2017. His customer service experience of over 9 years, managing inventory departments and applying his problem solving skills to help move a company forward, has been a huge factor in the company’s day to day operations.