Leadership Team

• 

  Larry Firestone

  Chief Executive Officer Read Bio

  Mr. Firestone brings over 40 years of enterprise, operations, and financial management experience in both public and private companies, including tenures as CEO, CFO and COO across multiple industry sectors. Mr. Firestone most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Oakland Manager, a privately-held purveyor of cannabis with both retail and wholesale market penetration, and as Chairman of FirePower Technology, a privately held manufacturer of ATX power supplies for the IT and instrumentation markets. In the public company sector, Mr. Firestone has served as Chief Executive Officer of Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST), Chief Executive Officer of Qualstar Corporation (NASDAQ: QBAK), Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Energy Industries (NASDAQ: AEIS), and Chief Financial Officer of Applied Films Corporation (NASDAQ: AFCO). He has served on numerous boards, including those of Eastside Distilling, Qualstar, CVD Equipment Corporation (NASDAQ: CVD), Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS) and HyperSpace Communications, Inc. (NYSE: HYPR). Mr. Firestone received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

• 

  Robert Manfredonia

  Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Read Bio

  Mr. Manfredonia brings 30 years of experience in regulated consumer products sales and marketing experience in the adult beverage space both wholesaler and direct brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories. His experience brings a deep knowledge and comprehensive capabilities to expedite distribution, accelerate volume growth and build brand enterprise value. Along with large entities, he has developed start-up brands with channel segment strategic planning and development, tactical coordination and implementation, account programming, shelf standards and retail execution disciplines, with a particular interest in corporate retail channel development for new to market, early stage and mid-sized brands. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Retail Corporate Accounts for Bonavita Beverage Group since 2019, and in the same role at Eastside Distilling from 2015-2019. Prior to entering the beverage business with Miller Brewing Company in 1999, he was a chain manager at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and proudly served in the United States Air Force.

• 

  Scott Marion

  Vice President of Operations Read Bio

  Scott joined 22nd Century Group in February 2023 as the VP of Operations. Prior to joining 22nd Century Group Scott was the head Manufacturing and Supply Chain Finance at Reynolds American – the United States 2nd largest tobacco company. Scott has over twenty years’ experience in the tobacco industry where he has held various management roles in finance working closely with manufacturing operations. Scott brings a unique blend of manufacturing and supply chain leadership grounded in lean manufacturing coupled with an understanding of the financial metrics driving the organization. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from High Point University and an MBA from Wake Forest University.

• 

  Dan Otto

  Chief Financial Officer Read Bio

  Daniel Otto was appointed our Chief Financial Officer in April 2024. He previously served as the Company’s Corporate Controller since July 2022 where he was responsible for accounting, SEC external reporting, treasury, tax and other finance management functions. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Otto served as a Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP providing audit and accounting advisory services to public companies, ranging from small to large cap issuers, for over ten years. Mr. Otto is also a certified public accountant and received his Master’s in Business Administration and B.A. in Accounting from Niagara University.

• 

  Jonathan Staffeldt

  General Counsel Read Bio

  Jonathan Staffeldt is a seasoned attorney with a diverse professional background well suited for his role as General Counsel. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in accounting, he decided to continue his education with a law degree from UCLA. Jonathan began his professional career as a corporate attorney working on a variety of transactional matters including mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, and debt and equity financings. Later, he practiced at a boutique litigation firm representing clients in complex civil matters. Jonathan then moved in-house as Assistant General Counsel at a medical company prior to joining GVB Biopharma as General Counsel in 2019. After 22nd Century’s acquisition of GVB Biopharma in 2022, Jonathan moved to an Associate Corporate Counsel position before coming the General Counsel of 22nd Century in early 2023.