Board of Directors
The MassCBA is lead by a dedicated team of professionals with a wide breadth of experience.
David O’Brien
President and CEO, Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association (MassCBA)
David O’Brien is the President and CEO of Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association with a mission to convene, voice, and advocate for the Commonwealth’s cannabis business community and ancillary services. David has spent his career providing public engagement, government relations and strategic communications counsel to the private, public and non-profit sectors at the state, national and international level. A pioneer in the Massachusetts Cannabis industry, David previously served as the director of East Coast government relations for Weedmaps where he led strategy for cannabis legalization, regulation and taxation. He also developed and provided municipal officials with data-driven research to inform effective adult-use cannabis zoning laws.
In the course of a political and communications career that has spanned thirty years, David has served as President of North Bridge Strategies, worked on eight US presidential campaigns – four as a staff member, and served as a Clinton Administration presidential appointee at the Corporation for National Service and US Small Business Administration. David also held senior positions on Governor Deval Patrick’s political action, inauguration, and campaign finance committees.
David holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Merrimack College. He is an elected member of the Democratic National Committee and the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.
Victor Chiang
CEO & President of Cypress Tree Management
Victor Chiang is the CEO & President of Cypress Tree Management, a license applicant with operations in Fitchburg and Newton. Prior to forming Cypress Tree Management, Victor was a co-founder partner of Balter Capital Management, a hedge fund boutique that had several fund of hedge fund and liquid alternative mutual fund products, and a hedge fund advisory service. Victor served as the firm's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer from its inception. Victor began his career in information technology and management consulting working for Andersen Consulting and Accenture.
Outside of work, Victor volunteers with the Dana-Farber / Jimmy Fund where he co-chairs the Dana-Farber Leadership Council’s Annual Golf Tournament, which has raised over $1.1MM for the Dana-Farber Hospital.
CAROLINE FRANKEL
OWNER & CEO, Caroline’s cannabis, llc
Caroline Frankel is a proud supporter of the marijuana movement, and believes responsible adults should have a choice not only for medicine but also for recreation.
Caroline is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. She worked for over ten years in the strategic marketing industry. In 2016, Caroline started Caroline’s Cannabis, LLC a retail company selling cannabis inspired rustic signage and home decor. Her business was dedicated to spreading the “Kind Words” of cannabis.
Caroline is a Massachusetts native who worked for over six years to build her business, brand, and secure an adult-use marijuana retail license. Caroline’s Cannabis is the first woman-owned adult-use cannabis retailer, and first general applicant to be granted a license to commence operations in Massachusetts. Her store is located in Uxbridge, MA.
Creating a positive presence has always been very important to Caroline, not only for the success of Caroline’s Cannabis, but for the continued success of the cannabis industry that she passionately supports. Caroline is an approved Social Equity Program Participant with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. As part of her mission, Caroline intends to continue her efforts to support woman-owned, and minority-owned cannabis businesses and entrepreneurs.
Marcus Johnson-Smith
Founder Kush Groove
Marcus Johnson-Smith is an entrepreneur, writer and marketing professional from Cambridge, MA. Founder of Kush Groove, a cannabis lifestyle accessories brand, Marcus has been a steady figure in the Massachusetts cannabis industry since 2011 advocating for business and legalization efforts at the local level. Also founder of Clearwater Branding, Marcus collaborates with cannabis firms around web design, brand marketing and marketing strategy. In addition to his work with the CBA, Marcus is also an appointee to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, Citizens Review board, where his team is charged with making recommendations around the states social equity program.
He can be reached at www.marcusjohnsonsmith.com or on instagram at @mjohnsonsmith.
James McMahon, Esq.
President, McMahon Strategic Development, LLC
James McMahon has been working with cannabis clients since 2014, assisting in each stage of development from site evaluation, through final inspections, and into long-term support and planning.
He is President of McMahon Strategic Development, LLC, a regulated development advisory firm with a robust cannabis practice. The firm's clients range from some of the largest vertically-integrated firms in the Commonwealth to some of the smallest microlicensees and hemp farmers.
tina sbrega
President and CEO, Gfa federal credit union
Tina M. Sbrega is the President & CEO of GFA Federal Credit Union. GFA is a well- capitalized, member focused community credit union headquartered in Gardner, MA.
Restricted by federal laws to secure banking services in federally insured financial institutions, legal cannabis businesses have been forced to conduct all transactions in cash. Recognizing the risks a cash-intensive business poses for public safety, GFA Federal Credit Union Board created a subsidiary in 2018 to bring compliant banking services to Massachusetts and New Hampshire cannabis operators and their employees. As such, GFA was the first financial institution in MA to provide banking services to the cannabis industry. They are proud to be serving the cannabis industry and providing a turnkey banking solution to assist them in managing their legitimate businesses.
Ms. Sbrega is regarded as an innovative industry leader and an engaged member of the community, having served as a director to many non-profit organizations. She is the recipient of numerous awards for both her innovative style and community leadership. Ms. Sbrega earned her BSBA from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.