Florida hemp company appoints former Cargill extraction and refining expert

A former executive from agriculture giant Cargill has joined the ranks of a Florida hemp processing company as it scales its operations to meet anticipated demand for bulk hemp extract.

Matthew Turner joins the executive leadership team of Fort Lauderdale-based Green Point Research as chief science officer and will oversee the company’s extraction and refining operations.

Adding Turner to the team is “vital” as the company looks to vertically integrate its operations, said Green Point Research CEO David Hasenauer in a company statement.

“With his deep understanding of optimizing extraction and refining operations, we have created an unparalleled process, which will allow us to become (a) low-cost cultivator and processor of hemp biomass,” Hasenauer said.

An international extraction and refining expert, Turner brings experience from roles including global manufacturing operations manager of Cargill’s extraction and refining plants.

Turner has also led manufacturing, engineering and operations for Golden Peanut, Justin’s Nut Butter and was the former CEO of DeSmet Ballestra, an edible oil extraction and refining business.

“Cannabidiol is the most misunderstood compound on earth,” Turner said.

“I look forward to advancing knowledge and education about the hard-working compound while working with Green Point Research to fully optimize our vertically integrated operations.”