As president of MJ Verdant, Jim brings over 30 years of experience in leading and completing major construction projects throughout Michigan.  In his former role as Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Vice President at Triangle Associates, a commercial construction company in Grand Rapids, he was responsible for overseeing a wide range of builds including large civil municipal projects, K-12 and higher education buildings, mixed-use retail and warehouse space renovations. 

Jim graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Construction Science & Management and began his career as a hands-on general contractor and project manager. Jim has the unique ability to step in and help with project buildout details while also navigating high-level compliance issues. 

A serial entrepreneur and personal connector, Jim is skilled at developing strategic alliances, managing accounts, and leading projects that not only build physical structures but also building community.

In 2008, Jim established West Michigan Multi-Sport Racing, a nonprofit with the mission of raising money for local nonprofits by leveraging sponsorships for, and participants in, the annual Millennium Triathlon in Grand Rapids. He successfully raised over $250,000 for entities including Kids’ Food Basket, the Kent and Ottawa County Child Assessment and Advocacy Centers, and the YMCA. He lives in Spring Lake.

“My work life has centered around the construction industry in West Michigan, so building MJ Verdant was a dream project and I built it right. The facility is state-of-the-art, crazy-clean, and super-efficient. We’re focused on nurturing exceptionally interesting plants. I care about sustainability and energy use and our smart indoor cultivation is optimized to use fewer resources and to conserve energy and water.”

With over nine years of experience in the Michigan State Police’s Forensic Science Division, working as a Forensic Scientist in the Biology/DNA Unit, Kate brings a background of science, discipline, and process to the team at MJ Verdant.  In her role as Compliance Manager, she is responsible for ensuring that all plants are properly tagged and recorded in METRC (the state-wide compliance system) and that all standard operating procedures are clearly documented and followed. 

Providing expert testimony throughout numerous counties in Michigan has made Kate a clear and concise communicator. And her adherence to quality assurance and control standards like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American Society for Crime Laboratory Directors, give her a great background for creating new SOPs and managing the business in a highly compliant, yet immature, industry. 

Prior to her work with the Michigan State Police, Kate served in the United States Coast Guard as a Boatswain’s Mate on active duty from 2002 – 2005, and on reserve duty from 2005 – 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University. She has currently enrolled in Northern Michigan University’s programs “Certification for The Business of Cannabis” and “Certification for Cannabis Agriculture and Horticulture”. Kate received a Commandant’s letter of commendation while serving in the USCG in 2002 and was recognized for professional excellence by the Michigan State Police in 2009.  

Kate is mom to 6 (yes 6!) children, making her uniquely qualified to hold the entire band of miscreants at MJ Verdant accountable for Every. Single. Action. 

As MJ Verdant’s office manager, Shawn brings a wealth of experience from 15 years of running distribution centers. It was there that she developed her leadership style including her belief that all employees should know that they are appreciated and respected. Learning, teaching, and helping others grow is a big part of the job. Everyone has potential, and Shawn is committed to helping all of her co-workers unlock it.

Shawn is a Breast Cancer Survivor and has also suffered loss due to that terrible disease. Throughout her journey, the role cannabis could play in a person’s medical treatment kept coming up. The possible benefits of marijuana use intrigued her and when the opportunity to join MJ Verdant came up, she took it. Her role currently finds her working for a company unlike any other in her previous experience. But she relishes the opportunities each day presents.

A Michigan native, she enjoys taking advantage of all the state has to offer with her friends and family. In her free time, you can find her enjoying a Lake Michigan beach (in the summer!). Other times, she’s likely to be in a gym or at a concert.