CEO

A Massachusetts native, Jon moved to our beautiful state of Vermont in 1997 to attend Saint Michael’s College.  Post receiving a B.S. degree in Biology, Jon moved to Colorado where he started his professional career conducting pharmaceutical and dietary supplement research on the treatments of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and Crohn’s disease. Upon returning to Vermont in 2005, he re-focused his attention on the implementation of quality management systems and process improvement initiatives enhancing product performance in the consumable packaged goods industries. During his time in the food and beverage space, his interests became more focused on the extraction, purification, and analytical analysis of organic compounds.

After enduring a terrible mountain biking accident in 2017, Jon personally found the true healing power of cannabis and decided to pivot his attention to the Vermont medical cannabis program where he felt that he could be impactful in supporting others on their journey of finding mental and physical wellbeing.

Since then, he has thoroughly enjoyed working in the Vermont cannabis industry where people value providing a premium product, have a strong work ethic, and collectively work towards fostering long lasting relationships. In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time immersing himself in nature with his friends and family enjoying all that the Green Mountains have to offer.

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE ADVISOR

Cella’s journey into the cannabis industry began with personal tragedy. When her husband, Paul, was diagnosed with cancer, cannabis became an essential part of his treatment and relief regimen. But even while fighting illness, Paul never stopped moving forward. Together, they began cultivating cannabis in their own greenhouses, driven by a shared vision of creating an integrated cannabis company that could bring healing and relief to others. Their dream took shape when they secured a facility and began building an extraction lab.

After more than a year in remission, Paul’s cancer returned with a vengeance. He passed away before the lab became fully operational, but his vision lived on. It became Cella’s guiding force. Determined to honor his legacy, Cella took the helm and committed herself to making their dream a reality.

With the unwavering support of her daughters, Paul’s parents, and an incredible team, Cella continues to carry Paul’s spirit forward—leading with generosity, innovation, and integrity. Her mission goes beyond simply creating top-quality cannabis products. She’s focused on building a business that uplifts the entire industry—from the growers and craft brands to the employees, dispensaries, and consumers—ensuring that every step of the process is driven by care, community, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Through this vision, Cella is turning Paul’s dream into a legacy that will continue to make a difference in the lives of countless others.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Every great lab needs a mastermind, and for X-Tract Vermont, that’s Grayson. With five years of experience extracting cannabis, he’s known as the team’s “mad scientist,” constantly innovating and refining techniques to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Armed with a deep knowledge of chemistry, science, and engineering, he built X-Tract Vermont’s extraction operation from the ground up—and if you listen closely, you might just hear his maniacal laughter echoing from the lab as he works on his latest breakthrough.

A founding member of X-Tract Vermont, Grayson has been there through every challenge, helping shape the company into what it is today. Whether it’s troubleshooting equipment, streamlining production, or engineering creative solutions, he’s the go-to expert for making things run smoothly. His passion for problem-solving and efficiency makes him an invaluable part of the team.

Outside the lab, Grayson is a lifelong tinkerer, always eager to learn how things are made. His hobbies range from 3D printing, welding, and metalwork to studying HVAC systems just for fun. When he’s not busy improving the lab, you can find him perfecting homemade ramen, playing GO, or diving into history podcasts.

EXTRACTION DIRECTOR & OWNER OF NORTHWOODS EXTRACTS

Chris is a hydrocarbon extraction expert and a passionate advocate for high-quality cannabis products. With seven years in the industry, he’s no stranger to crafting top-tier concentrates. As the former Director of Extraction for Everest Concentrates, he’s produced and sold over two thousand batches of cannabis concentrates. Now leading extraction operations at X-Tract Vermont, Chris is excited to bring premium concentrates and edibles to Vermont’s recreational market.

Beyond X-Tract Vermont, Chris is the founder of Northwoods Extracts, a brand known for its high-quality vapes and concentrates. Committed to giving back, Northwoods donates 1% of its profits to preserving wild spaces and wildlife—because for Chris, protecting nature is just as important as crafting top-tier products.

Before entering the cannabis industry, Chris worked as a researcher for the Forest Service, leading multi-day backpacking expeditions to study wildfires and endangered carnivores. His love for the outdoors remains strong, and when he’s not in the lab, you’ll find him trail running, climbing, biking, or skiing—always chasing adventure in the landscapes he loves.

EDIBLES DIRECTOR & OWNER OF CULTIVAR CHOCOLATES

For nearly 15 years, Andrew Peterson has been deeply involved in Vermont’s food industry. A Vermont native, he honed his culinary skills at the Culinary Institute of America in New York’s Hudson Valley. His career in fine dining took him across the country, where he worked at renowned establishments like High Cotton (Charleston, SC), Central Provisions (Portland, ME), Restaurant 1833 (Monterey, CA), the Nantucket Yacht Club (Nantucket, MA), and Hen of the Wood (Burlington, VT). After years in the fast-paced restaurant world, Andrew decided to step back and refocus on what truly brings him fulfillment.

With a lifelong passion for both food and cannabis, transitioning into the world of edibles was a natural next step. Now, as the head of X-Tract Vermont’s edibles manufacturing team, Andrew is dedicated to crafting high-quality, flavorful cannabis-infused products that meet the highest standards.

With the support of X-Tract Vermont, Andrew is also bringing his own vision to life with Cultivar Chocolates, a premium edible brand now available in dispensaries across Vermont. His commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional taste continues to shape the cannabis edibles market, blending his culinary expertise with his passion for cannabis.

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR

After receiving her Aviation Degree from Vermont Technical College, Lydia decided to embark on her family’s entrepreneurial journey and has been an invaluable team member ever since. She spent over two years running Rosie’s Coffee Shop in Winooski, serving coffee, pastries & chocolates.

Beloved in the community, Lydia has an eye for detail and uncanny ability to charm the most difficult of customers! She brings her years of customer service experience to X-Tract Vermont to ensure all our clients are taken care of and happy with our services. She enjoys meeting new people and getting to be a part bringing our high-end products to the wonderful dispensaries of Vermont!

In her free time Lydia loves to spend time with her family hiking, swimming, and cooking! Other hobbies include playing chess, flying, motorcycle riding, sky diving, beekeeping, and golfing! She hopes to have a positive impact on the people she encounters to brighten the world one smile at a time.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & OWNER OF ROSIE’S CONFECTIONS

Back in 2018, Emma journeyed into the new and exciting cannabis industry with her father and mentor, Paul Rose. Together they built the foundation for an amazing family run & vertically integrated business that would grow, process, and transform the highest quality cannabis into medicine for those in need.

Having lived in Vermont for most of her life, Emma deeply values healthy eating and sustainability. She sees a great need for more quality in the food and cannabis industries, as too often products are filled with additives and preservatives that should never be put in your body.

Today, Emma owns her own chocolate company, Rosie’s Confections, which produces amazing cannabis products. Emma grew X-Tract Vermont and Rosie’s Confections side by side over the years in the CBD market, and the transition into recreational cannabis has been an immense dream come true! She is heavily involved in all facets of X-Tract Vermont, lending her marketing knowledge and food manufacturing experience to help build a strong culinary system for the manufacture of top-quality edibles.