Derek Porter

Leadership Team

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Derek Porter

Securities Subject Matter Expert

Derek Porter is a Serial Entrepreneur, U.S. Veteran, Security Expert, and Investor in the Cannabis/Hemp Industries.

He is an investor and partner with Gateway Proven Strategies, specializing in his security expertise and competitive intelligence knowledge to help grow GPS globally.

Derek has started and successfully sold 2 security firms in the cannabis industry. Derek is also the majority owner of Dynamic Warriors LLC a Veteran sales demographic CBD company. Derek lives with his daughter and loves the outdoors, backpacking and traveling.

Derek holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Security Management, along with dozens of certifications in security and competitive intelligence.

Prior to joining the GPS Team, Derek’s acquisition exits were: Security Grade Protective Services (now called Helix Cannabis Security). After the exit he sat on the board of directors for Helix Technologies (HLIX).

Derek has worked on multiple levels of the security industry both in the military, as a former F.A.S.T. Marine (Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team), and as a private contractor for private military’s operating both CONUS and OCONUS.

Derek has over 390 consolidated days in Red Zones (War Zones) and has been decorated with various awards, such as: The Navy, Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (V) for bravery under fire.

He has protected precious assets ranging from nuclear assets to the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq. Derek has years of consulting experience with several executive protection firms. His specialty is assessing safety and security concerns of persons or an organization and diagnosing other security deficiencies unknown to the client.

Private: Andrew Ellis
Angie O’Keefe
Ashley Grace
Private: David Nagel
Eric Singular
Halston Puchek
Jeff Frazier
Stan Fischer
Tian Scherer

Private: Andrew Ellis

Operations Lead

Andrew Ellis is an established operations leader with an extensive work history assisting both public and private sector clients to navigate strategic, regulatory, and operational challenges. He has led projects for clients in highly regulated industries including cannabis, alcohol, energy, finance, healthcare, and transportation.

Angie O’Keefe

Angie O’Keefe comes to GPS with nearly 25 years of operational and financial experience. She spent the last seven years running operations for private equity-backed software companies, which included establishing best practices across sales, finance, marketing, customer success, and other functional areas, as well as integrating eight acquisitions across four different platform investments.

Ashley Grace

Marketing Subject Matter Expert

Ashley Grace is a consumer packaged goods industry veteran who has worked with most of the top Food and Beverage companies at some point, has been a part of 4 David Ogilvy Award winning (Campbell Soup, Pepperidge Farm, Brown Forman, Career Education), was recognized for Innovation Leadership by PepsiCo, and spoke twice at Nestle’s Global Digital Marketing Summit.

Private: David Nagel

VP of Global Development for Asia-Pacific

David J. Nagel is VP of Global Development for Asia-Pacific Opportunities and has extensive experience in highly regulated industries including liquor, consumer packaged supply chain goods, oil and gas, hemp, gaming, zoning/construction law, broadband, tax mitigation and securities, with experience in an array of areas

Eric Singular

Project Manager/ Hemp Subject Matter Expert

Eric’s path into the hemp industry began in the agricultural sector, heading up marketing for the leading North American provider of AOSCA certified hemp seed, Bija Hemp. Eric brings a unique perspective to the entire industrial hemp supply chain.

Halston Puchek

Marketing and Business Development

Halston Puchek became a pioneer in Colorado’s medical marijuana industry since its formation in 2009, sitting on local and national panels, hosting political events, providing locations for industry networking gatherings, advocating, and volunteering; She also operated one of the first vertically integrated, licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Boulder, Colorado.

Jeff Frazier

Consultant

Jeff Frazier advises individuals and companies doing business in Latin America, primarily Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

Stan Fischer

Security & Corporate Intelligence Officer

Stanton Fischer joins Franklin Global, Inc. as Senior Vice President following a 20-year career in the FBI. His FBI career started in Los Angeles where he was assigned to national security matters, including espionage, counterintelligence and counter-proliferation investigations.

Tian Scherer

Project Manager

An integral part of the California Cannabis industry for nearly a decade, a veteran retail operations expert, and renowned writer, Tian has made quite an impact on the cannabis industry.