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Hightimes Holding Corp. Announces Retail Veteran Neil Watanabe as New Executive ahead of Public Listing
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hightimes Holding Corp., the most well known brand in Cannabis, today announced Neil Watanabe is joining
About this update from Carparts.com, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"LOS ANGELES, CA, April 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hightimes Holding Corp., the most well known brand in Cannabis, today announced Neil Watanabe is joining the organization as its new Chief Operating Office (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately.Watanabe joins Hightimes from US Auto Parts, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRTS), where he served as CFO for one of the largest e-commerce aftermarket automotive parts resellers through their proprietary ecommerce sites including eBay and Amazon. Watanabe brings with him an extensive background in retail operations, strategic planning and operational management, along with a deep appreciation for High Times and its unique position in the growing cannabis ecosystem.\"I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Neil to Hightimes, where he will undoubtedly make an immediate impact as we prepare to become a publicly traded company,\" said Adam Levin, Executive Chairman of Hightimes. \"I believe Neil's leadership in growing both private and public companies as well as his background overseeing thousands of retail locations both domestic and international will be uniquely advantageous as we continue to look at new opportunities for the company.\"Prior to US Auto Parts, Watanabe served as EVP and CFO of Anna's Linens, Inc., the leading home textile specialty retailer with hundreds of locations across the United States. In this position he reduced monthly financial closing by three weeks, and achieved the single highest EBITDA financial performance for any year in the companies history.\"I can't imagine a more exciting time to join Hightimes,\" mentioned Neil Watanabe. \"I have grown up reading the flagship publication and believe in the strength of leveraging the brand to achieve profitable revenue growth. I am excited to join Kraig and Adam as they continue to build a world renowned operation. I recognize the tremendous opportunity toward improving operating performance.\"Watanabe will report directly to Kraig Fox. He will succeed David Newberg, who has served as Hightimes's CFO for the past two years. Newberg will remain at Hightimes and will report to Wanatanabe as the Vice President of Finance.\"David's commitment to Hightimes has been vital to everything this company has achieved during the time he served as CFO,\" said Levin. \"I am grateful for all he has done.\"Watanabe has held vari...