About
Over a 25 year career, Avis has operated at the intersection of business, regulation, finance, litigation, and public policy.
His career has spanned insurance, legal services, business operations, regulatory affairs, corporate strategy, and executive advisory work. Over that time, he has advised organizations ranging from early-stage startups and family-owned businesses to multi-state operators, institutional investors, private equity firms, attorneys, trade associations, government agencies, and elected officials.
While widely recognized for his leadership and influence within the cannabis industry, Avis's experience extends far beyond a single sector. His work has included regulatory matters, crisis management, litigation support, expert witness engagements, strategic transactions, organizational restructurings, public affairs initiatives, and high-stakes disputes involving significant financial, operational, and reputational risk.
Throughout his career, Avis has worked with founders, executives, boards of directors, investors, attorneys, regulators, public officials, professional athletes, sports organizations, and industry leaders confronting consequential decisions where the path forward was not always clear.
Today, he serves as an independent advisor, strategist, and expert witness, helping clients navigate complexity, assess risk, and develop practical solutions to difficult problems.
Professional Background
Crisis Management and Special Situations
Extensive experience managing situations involving competing interests, public scrutiny, legal exposure, regulatory challenges, leadership conflicts, and other circumstances where the stakes are high and the path forward is uncertain.
Public Affairs & Government Relations
Worked with policymakers, regulators, government agencies, elected officials, and industry stakeholders on policy, licensing, and regulatory matters.
Business Operations & Entrepreneurship
Built, operated, and advised businesses ranging from startups and family-owned companies to multi-state enterprises, providing firsthand experience in growth, scaling, restructuring, and operational leadership.
Executive Advisory & Transactions
Advised founders, executives, boards, investors, and private equity firms on strategy, growth, restructurings, acquisitions, and capital formation.
Cannabis Industry Leadership
Recognized as an operator, advisor, advocate, and industry leader during the evolution of regulated cannabis markets across the United States.
Expert Witness & Litigation Support
Retained in complex litigation matters involving regulatory compliance, industry standards, business operations, and economic damages.
Leadership, Recognition, & Industry Contributions
Throughout his career, Avis has held leadership positions, advised organizations operating in highly regulated industries, contributed to public policy discussions, and received recognition for his work as an operator, entrepreneur, strategist, and industry advocate. His experience spans private enterprise, government engagement, trade associations, litigation support, and executive advisory work.
Leadership
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Executive leadership positions across private companies, trade associations, and industry organizations
Founder and CEO, SIVA Enterprises, one of the top cannabis consulting firms in the country
President of the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force
Guided organizations through growth, restructuring, regulatory change, and strategic transition
Advisor to founders, executives, investors, boards, and stakeholders operating in highly regulated industries
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Founded, operated, and advised businesses ranging from startups to multi-state operators
Experience spanning business operations, growth strategy, licensing, compliance, restructuring, and market expansion
Advised organizations through formation, scaling, acquisitions, and operational transformation
Worked across legal services, insurance, cannabis, and emerging industries
Firsthand experience navigating complex business and regulatory environments
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President, Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force
Appointed Member, California Cannabis Advisory Committee
Chair, Distributor Subcommittee, California Cannabis Advisory Committee
Advised California's cannabis regulatory agencies on policy and regulatory development
Served on advisory boards, committees, and industry working groups
Advisor to some of the industry's leading companies and organizations
Instructor, Green Flower Media's cannabis certification program licensed to colleges and universities throughout the United States
Recognition
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Green Entrepreneur Magazine — Top 10 Consulting & Legal Companies
Business of the Year - Cannabis Industry Awards
Expertise.com — Top 18 Consulting Companies in Los Angeles
Green Market Report — Top CEOs to Watch
Cannabis Industry Awards Nominee:
Best Company
Best CEO
Best Organization
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Reuters
Bloomberg
NBC News
Fox News
Boston Globe
Business Insider
Yahoo Finance
Law360
PBS
Los Angeles Business Journal
Financial Post
U.S. News & World Report
Numerous industry publications and trade journals
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Nine times Featured or Keynote speaker
Countless conference and industry speaking engagements
Keynote presenter, panelist, moderator, and educator
Speaker at MJBiz Daily Annual and Spring Conference, Cannabis World Congress, NCIA, CCIA, National Cannabis Bar Association, Cannabis Drink Expo, and other industry forums
Author, 2024 State of the Cannabis Industry Report
Instructor for Green Flower's cannabis certification curriculum, licensed through universities and educational institutions nationwide
Published articles, op-eds, white papers, and educational content addressing cannabis policy, regulation, social equity, labor relations, and industry development
Contributor to industry publications, webinars, executive forums, and policy discussions
Industry Contributions
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Worked with regulators, government agencies, elected officials, and industry stakeholders
Testified in front of California’s Department of Insurance
Contributed to policy development and regulatory implementation efforts
Participated in stakeholder engagement initiatives at local, state, and national levels
Assisted organizations in navigating evolving regulatory frameworks
Active participant in public policy and industry advocacy efforts
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Advised founders, executive leadership teams, and boards of directors
Worked with investors, private equity firms, and family offices
Strategic advisor to attorneys and litigation teams
Advised professional athletes, sports organizations, and public-sector stakeholders
Supported growth initiatives, transactions, restructurings, crisis situations, and special projects
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Retained as an expert witness in complex litigation matters involving trademark disputes, tax matters, wrongful enforcement actions, search and seizure analysis, regulatory compliance, and industry standards.
Prepared expert reports, opinions, and damages analyses in matters resulting in multi-million dollar settlements and awards.
Provided deposition testimony and litigation support.
Evaluated business operations, regulatory compliance, industry practices, and economic damages.
Worked on matters involving licensing disputes, enforcement actions, public policy issues, and complex commercial litigation.
Beyond Work
Outside of his professional work, Avis is an avid reader with a longstanding interest in history, psychology, philosophy, leadership, economics, and the study of human behavior.
His interests span biography, military and political history, organizational leadership, classical philosophy, and decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and change. He is particularly fascinated by how individuals, organizations, and societies navigate complexity, resolve conflict, and adapt to evolving circumstances.
Many of the same themes that define his professional work—leadership, accountability, strategic thinking, incentives, and problem solving—continue to shape his interests outside of business.
A former high-level competitor trained in Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do, Avis has long been drawn to disciplines that demand preparation, resilience, continuous improvement, and personal accountability.
Whether studying history, exploring questions of leadership and human behavior, or working through complex business challenges, he remains motivated by a simple belief: meaningful progress begins with understanding the underlying forces that drive people, institutions, and outcomes.