Management Team

Fred Buro

Founder, Advisor, Shareholder & Board Member

   Fred boasts extensive experience as a seasoned CEO, CMO, and COO, having held executive positions across various industries; however, his expertise predominantly lies in stressed asset management and marketing within the realm of casinos and resorts. He has lent his skills to major operators such as Trump Plaza Casino, Tropicana Casino, MTR Gaming Group, and Tribal casinos in California and Michigan. Presently, Fred serves as the CEO & CMO at Pala Casino Spa & Resort in California.

   Recognized as a results-driven cross-functional leader, Fred excels in marketing, management, and performance optimization. Throughout his career, he has consistently spearheaded the turnaround of stressed assets amidst diverse challenges, fostering top-line growth and achieving positive bottom-line results.

Fred's proficiency extends to orchestrating large-scale business transactions, having facilitated over $3 billion in complex deals encompassing asset monetization, acquisitions, IPOs, equity transactions, funding, complex financing arrangements, treasury operations, and more. Additionally, he is the founder of Severity, Inc., a specialized business consulting agency catering primarily to the gaming and casino resort sectors.

   Renowned for his strategic competitive positioning, results-oriented performance, and marketing acumen, Fred is celebrated for his ability to enhance the performance and profitability of large, intricate organizations operating within highly taxed, regulated, and competitive markets.

Joseph Guzzardo 

Chief Compliance, Regulatory & Security Officer, Shareholder & Board Member

    Joe brings a wealth of experience to the table as a retired Captain of the State Police, where he oversaw the State Police Intelligence Bureau. His tenure was marked by a focus on combating political corruption, organized crime, ensuring corporate compliance, and conducting confidential investigations. Notably, Joe spent three years as a Detective in the narcotics division, working undercover to procure narcotics from drug dealers.

    In his role, Joe places a strong emphasis on ensuring adherence to regulations and internal protocols, which is integral to our success in this heavily regulated industry.     He has served as a liaison with government and regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Additionally, Joe has coordinated gaming and criminal intelligence activities across our organization's properties, supervised internal investigations at the behest of Senior Management, and collaborated with finance team members on internal audit investigations.

Teri Festa 

Chief Operating Officer, Shareholder & Board Member

    Teri is a highly accomplished and innovative leader in business strategy and operations, known for her self-directed approach and extensive experience spanning diverse industries. With a keen entrepreneurial spirit, she excels in coordinating various aspects of projects and organizational initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives while consistently delivering results ahead of schedule and within budget. Teri brings a collaborative mindset to her work, leveraging exceptional diplomacy, analytical prowess, and organizational acumen to lead through influence.

    Her impressive career includes notable roles such as CMO at the NJSEA (Meadowlands Sports Complex), where she spearheaded marketing efforts. She has also ventured into the realm of entrepreneurship, contributing to the development of a hemp-based CBD company and launching start-ups across retail, restaurant, mortgage banking, and wholesale manufacturing sectors. Notably, Teri founded and led a health & wellness non-profit organization for over 25 years, showcasing her enduring commitment to excellence and integrity, earning respect from colleagues, business leaders, and stakeholders alike.

J. N.

BioChemist, Cultivator, Shareholder & Board Member

Michael Aquino,M.D.

Shareholder & Board Member

    Dr. Aquino, a physician with extensive expertise, possesses a deep understanding of various cannabis strains and their medicinal properties, backed by substantial research in the field. Holding medical licenses across multiple states, he is well-versed in state licensing regulations pertinent to his profession.

    Beyond his medical practice, Aquino has demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit, with ownership roles in medical facilities. Notably, he served as a partner at a gastroenterology clinic from 1995 to 2011 and was actively involved with two teaching hospitals during that period. His gastroenterology practice achieved significant milestones, including obtaining licensure for a free-standing Ambulatory Surgical Center—a pioneering feat in the state. Additionally, his practice was among the first to introduce ancillary services at a national level.

    While maintaining his medical practice, Aquino took on the role of Chief Operating Officer at an anatomic pathology lab, which he successfully grew into the largest facility of its kind in the country. This lab, operating across 13 states and processing 1,500 patient specimens daily, experienced remarkable expansion under his leadership. Aquino also played a pivotal role in the establishment and operation of another full-scale anatomic and molecular pathology lab, where he currently serves as Chief Operating Officer.

    Beyond healthcare, Aquino's diverse portfolio includes ownership of a restaurant and bar, demonstrating his versatility as a business leader. He navigated the regulatory landscape to obtain a liquor license from the state of New York, showcasing his adeptness in regulatory compliance across different sectors.        Moreover, Aquino has actively participated in state inspections of healthcare companies and provided advisory and investment support to various biotech firms.

Mike Guzzardo

Shareholder & Board Member

    Mike is a seasoned management professional with a robust track record spanning over 25 years in the healthcare sector.

    His expertise encompasses diverse areas such as sales team leadership, regional sales management, market and business development, and lead generation. Rising swiftly from the role of Area Sales Manager to Northeast Regional Sales Director, Mike's dynamic approach to business enabled him to clinch the top spot in sales, driving a remarkable $5.8 million revenue growth over two years. His adept management of key accounts, overseeing 40 direct reports, resulted in business worth exceeding $20 million.

    Throughout his career, Mike has navigated the intricacies of the highly regulated healthcare industry, implementing comprehensive compliance programs while consistently achieving outstanding success. His involvement with multiple compliance advisory boards underscores his commitment to upholding industry standards.

    While healthcare has always been his primary focus, Mike is now eager to explore opportunities in utilizing cannabis for wellness management. Leveraging his extensive healthcare background, he possesses a unique scientific understanding of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. Combined with his exceptional relationship-building skills and negotiation acumen, Mike is poised for success in this burgeoning field.