Boulder | Colorado
Growth Focused Leadership
Cannabis Industry Pioneer and Master of Transformational Leadership
Mark Doherty has spent over 15 years pioneering advancements in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and cannabis industries, earning a reputation as a visionary leader who turns challenges into opportunities and startups into market leaders. His expertise lies in his unique trifecta: a mastery of business strategy, agricultural innovation, and team-building.
Mark’s journey began in 2010 when he designed and operated Aqua Vita Farms, one of the first commercial-scale aquaponic farms in the United States. This groundbreaking 14,000-square-foot facility integrated sustainable practices to produce premium lettuce, herbs, and seafood, serving markets across a 250-mile radius. Mark quickly realized that scaling indoor agriculture required a seamless integration of plant science, technology, and operational excellence—knowledge he would later apply to revolutionize the cannabis industry.
As Executive Vice President of urban-gro, Mark played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a cultivation systems provider to a fully integrated architectural, engineering, and cultivation services firm. During his tenure, he:
- Drove 140% year-over-year revenue growth, scaling the company to $62M annually.
- Contributed to a $62M NASDAQ capital raise, enabling urban-gro’s rapid expansion.
- Led over 300 cultivation projects, influencing $150M in investments and shaping the future of cannabis operations.
In his current role as Vice President of Facilities Management at Vireo Growth, Inc., Mark oversees 378,000+ square feet of cultivation, extraction, and retail facilities across three states, delivering $2M+ in operational improvements and championing resource efficiency.
Mark is also an innovator, having developed the Dual Draft system—a game-changing airflow solution featured on Growing Belushi (Discovery Channel). He consistently drives efficiency and profitability through advanced CEA technologies, strategic capital allocation, and team alignment.
Beyond his technical expertise, Mark is a relationship-based leader who builds high-performing teams that thrive under pressure. His leadership philosophy prioritizes people, fostering cultures that empower employees to deliver exceptional results while maintaining low turnover.
Mark’s accomplishments include:
- Commissioning New York’s largest indoor cannabis cultivation facility, integrating cutting-edge systems for sustainability and yield.
- Navigating global disruptions like COVID-19 to deliver record-breaking revenues and operational resilience.
- Mentoring leaders and influencing the future of CEA and cannabis through his passion for sustainable agriculture and innovation.
With an MBA from the State University of New York and certifications in Integrative Holistic Coaching, Mark bridges technical expertise with a people-first approach to leadership. Based in Boulder, Colorado, he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the cannabis and agriculture industries, inspiring others to join him in redefining success.