Verano Holdings Corp. announced the appointment of Brett Summerer as Chief Financial Officer. Summerer assumes the role previously held by Brian Ward, who will continue to serve as an advisor during the transition period before departing Verano.

Summerer brings more than 21 years of diverse financial leadership experience to Verano's executive team. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility across multiple information technology, manufacturing, and CPG companies. Summerer began his career in the IT sector at Modern Engineering, and after serving as Head of Information Technology, he ultimately rose to the CIO position, where he managed the firm's budget, vendor contracts, and operational integration for four acquisitions.

He then spent 10 years at General Motors in Financial Planning and Analysis, Controller, and CFO positions in the U.S. and Asian markets. After leaving GM, he served as the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and Supply Chain Finance for Corning Incorporated, and subsequently gained pharmaceutical industry experience as the Head of Finance for their pharmaceutical business. Most recently, Summerer served as Vice President, Head of Supply Chain Finance and CFO of The Kraft Heinz Company's U.S. Operations, where he led all aspects of the CPG company's financial activities across its extensive national manufacturing footprint in its largest market.

Summerer will report directly to Verano Founder and CEO George Archos and will be based in the Company's Chicago headquarters office. The Company will seek regulatory approval, as necessary, to effectuate Summerer's role and responsibilities in the various jurisdictions where Verano is, or will become, a licensed cannabis operator.