Our Team

Jim McCoy, Director of Program Operations

Jim spent 32 years with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) where he served in various positions. For the past ten years he has assisted numerous alcohol and tobacco industry members with federal permit, product, tax and operational compliance issues. He is sought after by cannabis processors, CBD processors, and alcohol and tobacco producers for guidance with regulatory matters.

Tony Haynes, Director of Client & Government Relations

Tony is the former chief of the National Revenue Center under the United States Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. He has extensive experience in federal permitting and taxation of the alcohol, tobacco, and firearms/explosives industries. Tony retired after 32 years of service and has since worked for several major law firms consulting and lobbying for the alcohol, tobacco, and firearms industries with particular expertise in the resolution of complex tax and compliance issues.

Harry Bernstein, Executive Director

As general counsel of a beer and wine wholesale distributor for nearly two decades, Harry handled all legal matters including, contracts, franchise agreements, labor negotiations, as well as state and federal licensing and compliance. For the past 19 years, as an attorney, he has assisted individuals with health care matters and special needs including representing clients at federal administrative hearings at the Social Security Administration.

Stacie Riffert, Director of Sales & Marketing

Stacie brings executive-level experience in consumer products. Over a two-decade career at PepsiCo she held a number of roles including the general manager of a 135 person sales and distribution office, as well as the national sales director leading the strategic direction and negotiations with Target. Stacie is the founder of Empowered Leadership where she is a certified executive and business coach focused on improving the performance of small businesses.

Dave Patton, Director of Permit Services

Dave is a U.S. Army veteran, former assistant Ohio Attorney General, and currently an attorney at law practicing exclusively in the cannabis space since 2016. He is active in the cannabis industry as an instructor teaching medical marijuana law and regulations at the Cleveland School of Cannabis and as a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association. Dave’s article called “A History of United States Cannabis Law” will soon be published in the Journal of Law & Health.

Drew Barnholtz, In-House Counsel

Drew has more than 15 years of corporate, entrepreneurial, and law firm experience focused on regulatory and transactional matters in the life sciences, health care, and manufacturing industries.

Lee Janovitz, Financial Consultant

Lee has more than 35 years of experience in finance, accounting, businesses development, revenue/cost management, and tax consulting.