James Winokur

VP of Finance, Board of Directors

James is currently the CEO of CitraChem Corp, a start-up life sciences company founded on patent-pending chemical synthesis process to create ultra-pure, cost effective, single molecule phytocannabinoids in a controlled laboratory environment using starting materials from plant-based essential oils.

James was previously the founder of High Power Consulting, focused on start-ups and small businesses, especially companies in the cannabis industry.

For over three years, James was CEO of Berkshire Roots, a Massachusetts-based cannabis cultivation, production and dispensary operator with locations in Pittsfield and Boston.  Prior to Berkshire Roots, James was the SVP & General Manager, Product Group for cannabis multi-state operator, MariMed.  James began his cannabis career as a co-founder and CEO of CannaKorp, a designer and manufacturer of a home appliance for vaporizing ground cannabis flower in a controlled portion through a Keurig-style, pod-based device called the Wisp.  The company was acquired after initial commercial unit production in 2019.  

Prior to entering the cannabis industry, James was Senior Director, Global Support at PTC focused on marketing and business development for the recurring revenue associated with annual software support agreements.  Before leaving PTC for the cannabis industry, PTC’s annual support revenue was over $700 million of the company’s $1.3 billion total annual revenue. 

James’ business management experience began with an eleven-year career as the co-owner and operator of several Culligan Water Conditioning franchises in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.  James sold the businesses in 1998 in a successful exit leading to his move back to Boston. 

James earned an undergraduate B.A. degree in Political Science in 1986 from Boston College and in 2002 earned his MBA from the Boston College Carroll Graduate School of Management with a concentration in marketing and operations.

Watch James use his expertise to answer student career questions here.