Illinois-based Revolution Enterprises announced the appointment of prominent media executive Tony Hunter to the company’s board as chairman.

Revolution is a cannabis operator focused on health and wellness solutions. The company produces cannabis medicine and cannabis-driven consumer packaged goods, from food and beverages to topicals and pet products.

Hunter joins the board as chairman during a critical period of growth for Revolution, the company said in a statement.

Hunter’s Appointment

Hunter is a media-operating executive who is known for having led the Chicago Tribune Co. during a time of unprecedented change by focusing on operational excellence, digital innovation and strategic partnerships.

“I’m excited to join Mark and his team in establishing Revolution as a leader in the cannabis and hemp sector,” Hunter stated.

“Revolution’s business is based on putting patients and consumers first, operational excellence, and expansion that is thoughtful and strategic. I look forward to helping the company in its next stage of growth as we double down on these fundamentals and open new markets across the country.”

Hunter spent over 20 years at the Tribune, including eight as the publisher of the Chicago Tribune. He is recognized for his success as an architect of change and a leader of business transformation.

He became an advocate for medical cannabis after seeing loved ones benefit from it in fighting debilitating chronic health conditions.

Expansion to Arkansas

In addition to Hunter’s appointment, Revolution also announced that it is now expanding to Arkansas, which approved medical cannabis by ballot measure in 2016 and opened for legal sales in May 2019.

The company will serve as the exclusive strategic consulting partner to Delta Medical Cannabis Co., bringing its operational expertise, full brand suite and product lines, and commitment to the community to the state.

Delta Medical operates one of five licensed cultivation and processing facilities in the state and broke ground on construction in January. Revolution will also bring vertical integration experience to Delta Medical as it begins to evolve its retail operations online in the state.

Revolution is expanding beyond the medical market in its home state. The company is preparing to enter the adult-use market in the newly legalized Illinois market and in other states.

In recent months, Revolution has also expanded operations to Florida and acquired HempVet, a hemp-derived CBD pet products company.