40 Under 40: Cultivation Masters

Brandon Burkhart

Brandon Burkhart, 36, is the founder of Athena, one of the most well-known nutrient lines in the cannabis industry. Drawing from his experience as a seasoned cultivator, Burkhart developed a streamlined nutrient line that addresses the complexities and inconsistencies of traditional feed programs. His partnership with Jungle Boys led to extensive testing and refinement, resulting in a product that enhances quality while reducing costs. Under Burkhart’s leadership, Athena has expanded rapidly, becoming one of the top ten brands in the cannabis nutrient sector. His innovative approach extends beyond products, with investments in production infrastructure and the creation of subsidiary companies including AMG, Demeter Designs and Imperium Controls. 

Chris Hagedorn  

Chris Hagedorn is the Executive Vice President of Scott’s Miracle Grow and has been the Division President for The Hawthorne Gardening Company. Since his leadership at Hawthorne began in 2013, Hagedorn has grown it into one of the most valuable cannabis companies by revenue globally and North America’s leader in indoor and hydroponic growing supplies, serving cannabis cultivators of all sizes, from commercial operations to home growers. While he credits the Maverick move into cannabis to his father, Jim, ultimately it was Hagedorn junior who recognized the opportunity to move into serving the sector. 

“I was living in an apartment in Brooklyn with my wife, then girlfriend, and we realized that we don’t have any products for people like us who live in apartments, for people who didn’t grow up gardening and weren’t taught how to do it, no “make it easy for me” products,” he says. “So we looked at things, thinking that we’ll act as an internal incubator to grow these ideas till they had critical mass, and then we’ll hand them off to the marketing brand teams to run.’ So that was the idea at the time, primarily urban and indoor gardening and organic gardening. That led us back to whether we want to make a system that makes it easy for people to garden; a hydro-type system would be that. We started looking at it again and that’s where it was given new life.” 

Under Hagedorn’s guidance, Hawthorne’s has assembled a holistic portfolio of best-in-class brands covering every aspect of cultivation, from lighting and nutrients to growing environments and hardware. Hagedorn has also spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in cannabis research and development. The completion of North America’s first dedicated cannabis R&D facility in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada showcases his commitment to advancing cultivation techniques and systems. This facility, a collaboration with The Flowr Corporation, puts Hawthorne at the forefront of cannabis innovation. 

Justin Esquivel  

Justin Esquivel founded Green Luster Phenos as a result of his innovative approach to cannabis genetics. With a decade-and-a-half of experience, Esquivel has developed a unique breeding methodology that produces predictable and uniform exotic cannabis strains. His company specializes in high-cannabinoid hemp and adult-use cannabis genetics, offering cultivars that are outperforming market standards. Green Luster Phenos’ genetics are cultivated in 42 states and 19 countries, showcasing the company’s global impact. Esquivel’s expertise extends to grower consulting, lending his mastery to help develop 76 state-of-the-art cannabis production facilities and mentoring nearly 100 growers in perfecting their craft. 

Nate Ruby 

Nate Ruby, 30, is a key player in Missouri’s cannabis industry. As president of Illicit Gardens and the flower brand’s parent company, From the Earth Missouri, Ruby transformed his long-standing interest in cannabis into a thriving business empire. Despite initial skepticism due to his age and lack of experience, Ruby secured licenses and financing to establish five dispensaries, a 14,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and a 100,000-square-foot cultivation center. Under his leadership, From the Earth Missouri grew from 16 to 120 employees in less than two months. Ruby’s singular approach and unwavering determination have positioned Illicit Gardens as one of Missouri’s leading flower brands, underlining his ability to navigate and excel in the emerging cannabis market. 

Tom Forrest 

Tom Forrest, 36, is a pioneering force in cannabis cultivation and education. As co-founder and CEO of Puro New Zealand, he established the largest certified organic cannabis farm in Asia-Pacific. His innovative approach extends beyond cultivation; he established Australia’s first university cannabis cultivation project in 2016 and completed the first Churchill Fellowship for cannabis agriculture in 2018. With more than a decade of experience in hydroponics, Forrest has contributed to Stealth Garden’s expansion, including its 2023 launch in Thailand. Forrest’s expertise is globally recognized, having spoken at more than 50 international events.  

“Cannabis allows me to work with my community worldwide,” he says. “It provides a family of like-minded and unique individuals whom I love and cherish.”