Pennsylvania CBD wholesaler expands sales team with Zappos executive

A CBD and terpene wholesaler in Pennsylvania has hired a former Zappos executive as part of a drive to expand its management team and market its cannabinoid formulations to large consumer products companies.

Leetsdale-based Hemp Synergistics has brought on Allison Bentley, a former merchandising manager at e-commerce giant Zappos.com, to serve as vice president of sales, marketing and merchandising. Bentley will be responsible for growing sales, acquisition of businesses, building sales funnels and merchandising products, the company said in a statement.

At Zappos, Bentley oversaw four divisions and $400 million in retail sales, as well as a year-over-year increase in retail sales and operating profit while reducing inventory costs.

Hemp Synergistics hired Bentley alongside Mark Mangieri, a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) sales professional who will serve as director of sales and product development and oversee the rollout of new products. Prior to his new role, Mangieri served as co-founder and CEO of functional foods contract manufacturer Fitco Food and of supplements company Exclusive Supplements Inc.