MedMen Names Its Third CEO In Two Years

MedMen Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) has appointed Michael Serruya as Chairman and Interim CEO, effective immediately. Serruya succeeds outgoing Chairman and CEO Tom Lynch, who held the position since 2020 and oversaw the company’s operational turnaround. Lynch was only just recently named as a permanent CEO in July.

Lynch joined MedMen as interim CEO and chief restructuring officer in March 2020, a few months after Adam Bierman stepped down as chief executive at the company he launched a decade earlier. Before Lynch came in, MedMen’s Chief Operating Officer & Chief Technology Officer, Ryan Lissack was named Interim CEO in January of 2020.

“We want to thank Tom for his leadership over the past 20 months as he’s led a successful and disciplined turnaround plan, which has left us well-positioned for accelerated growth as MedMen 2.0,” said Serruya. “Our focus now is taking this Company to the next level as we seek to leverage the strength of the MedMen brand and consumer experience in order to expand it across the United States, Canada and internationally.”

Lynch said, “It has been an honor to lead MedMen through its transformation into MedMen 2.0, which is now in growth mode. I am confident Michael and the Board will identify the right CEO to execute against our aggressive growth plans and achieve company-wide profitability in 2022.”

Lynch will continue to serve as the Manager of MedMen Boston LLC and MME Newton Retail LLC, and for the immediate future will continue to participate in the direction and control of those businesses.

Serruya joined MedMen’s board in August 2021 as part of a $100 million investment in the company by Serruya Private Equity to expand its operations in key markets and identify and accelerate further growth opportunities across the United States. This, together with Tilray, Inc.’s acquisition of the majority of the outstanding senior secured convertible notes of MedMen that were originally held by certain funds affiliated with Gotham Green Partners, LLC, provides MedMen with the flexibility to execute on its growth priorities and explore additional strategic opportunities.

Serruya is a seasoned cannabis investor with extensive retail expertise, having previously served as CEO of Coolbrands (then home to CPG brands including Weight Watchers, Eskimo Pie, Tropicana and Godiva Ice Cream) and Kahala Brands (home to global QSR brands including Cold Stone Creamery, Taco Time and Blimpie Subs).