– CANADA, Toronto – Scythian Biosciences Corp. (CSE:SCYB | FRA:9SB |OTC:SCCYF) announced today that it has appointed Andrew DeFrancesco to the Board of Directors effective September 4, 2018.
Mr. DeFrancesco has over 26 years of capital markets experience, from senior positions at some of Canada’s most established independent investment firms in trading, sales and investment banking, to establishing first mover status as the founder and co-founder of a number of North American small and mid-capital companies and sectors.
Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Board for Cool Holdings Inc., a position Mr. DeFrancesco has held since December 2016. Cool Holdings is a Nasdaq listed investment company which currently owns 17 officially licensed Apple boutique retail stores in the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Florida with plans to roll out in multiples states and Canada. Additionally, Mr. DeFrancesco has been the Chief Investment Officer and Director of the Delavaco Group, a global private equity firm focused on small and mid-capital corporations in select sectors since the sale of Delavaco Energy for $102 million in 2009.
Mr. DeFrancesco started his career with Midland Walwyn prior to its sale to Merrill Lynch. He was then hired by CM Oliver, Canada’s oldest investment bank, where he worked as head of trading and sales. CM Oliver was subsequently purchased by Canaccord Capital where Mr. DeFrancesco transitioned to investment banking and established his partnership with the Serruya Family as their strategic advisor throughout their corporate growth.
In 2005, Mr. DeFrancesco went on to become Chief Investment Officer of the Serruya Family Office which led to his roles in Epsilon Energy. He became Founder, Chairman & CEO of Dalradian Resources which he stewarded though its initial public offering in 2010 and was recently sold for over $500 million. Mr. DeFrancesco was a founder of Delavaco Energy, sold in 2009, and P1 Energy and APO Energy which merged and was successfully sold to Parex Resources.
His partnership with Serruya Private Equity has led to ownership stakes and successful turnarounds of well-known American brands like Jamba Juice, American Apparel and Kahala Brands, parent of Pinkberry, Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpies Subs, Taco Time, Great Steak, NRGize, and America’s Tacos, which was sold to MTY Foods for approximately $400 Million.
In 2013, Mr. DeFrancesco & the Delavaco Group along with Serruya Private Equity injected $6.2 Million founding investment in Aphria Inc. and became strategic advisors of Cole Cacciavillani, John Cervini and Vic Neufeld. Since then, Andy and the Delavaco Group have invested or advised on every Aphria equity financing.
In 2016, Mr. DeFrancesco led the Delavaco Group to create DFMMJ Investments Ltd. which successfully acquired one of Florida’s original medical cannabis licenses. Through this acquisition, Andy and Delavaco founded Liberty Health Sciences and strategically negotiated with Aphria and Serruya Private Equity to join the partnership as the company transitioned though its public listing. Additionally, Mr. DeFrancesco has led the Delavaco Group and his partners to lead investments in a cannabis media platform, PROHBTD Media Inc.
“The company is pleased to welcome Andy to the board,” said CEO Rob Reid. “He is undoubtedly one of the most successful cannabis investors in the market so we look forward to leveraging his experience and serial entrepreneurship as we shift our focus to becoming a leading operator in the U.S. market.”
About Scythian Biosciences Corp.
Scythian is an international cannabis company with a focus on legal U.S. states. Its strategic investments and partnerships across cultivation, distribution and retail complement the company’s R&D program with the University of Miami. It is this comprehensive approach that is positioning Scythian as a future frontrunner in the United States’ medical cannabis industry.
For more information : http://www.scythianbio.com
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