Our Team
The TGC team consist of a wide variety of the industry’s top experts. Together we have created a powerful force ready to take on every obstacle brought to the industry. Members gain access to the team during meetings and exclusive events!
The TGC comprises industry experts whose individual expertise would typically demand a significantly higher investment than any of our membership levels.
Kelley Mathis Hess
CEO & Lobbyist
With her 18-year experience in the TN General Assembly and Masters Degree in Public Administration, Kelley Mathis Hess brings first-hand knowledge of the legislative process, political action committees, membership trade associations and the importance of being involved in the political process. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is a registered lobbyist for the Tennessee Growers Coalition. Kelley founded the TN Growers Coalition along with others in 2018 with the goal of supporting and protecting the Tennessee Hemp industry through political advocacy.
Allison McKelvey-Janes
Communications Manager
Allison was brought on as the communications manager in 2022. She earned her degree in Agriculture from Tennessee Tech University in 2017. She was hired on as the general manager of Urban Horticulture Supply shortly after graduation. Allison has been advocating for the plant since then.
Allison brings a vast knowledge of the plant and the growing licensing process to the team. Her work is seen in our social media posts, emails, and other media that the TGC releases. She is often found learning more about the plant and helping farmers thrive in Tennessee.
The Bivens & Associates
Lobbying Firm
We are honored to have the Bivens on our team. They have a combined 50+ years of experience. They bring an enormous amount of experience and knowledge to the table. They assist us during session and out of session to be our eyes and ears on legislation that impacts the industry. Mike, Brian, Nicole and Vivian are all trusted and accomplished lobbyist on the hill. We are proud to be clients amongst the big names like Airbnb, TikTok and eBay.
Heather Pinckard
Heather is the TGC’s finance manager. She is our go to quickbooks guru and keep us in line. She is an advocate for the industry and a major asset to the team.
You can find Heather around the world in her many travels. She is a big believer in supporting small business and her local farmers!
Jesse West
Jesse has been part of our legal team since 2022! He is our go to for all things legal language and policy break down. You can find Jesse on most of our members calls. He currently practices law in Utah, but he is a Tennessee native. He started out in the hemp space in his early career before moving. We greatly appreciate his dedication to the TGC and proud to have him on the team!
Legal Team
Alex Little & Zach Lawson and their team all are major assets to the TGC team. This powerhouse of lawyers is a major defense on our legal side of things. They bring a wealth of knowledge of the industry that you could not get anywhere else!