MEET THE TEAM
John Patterson
John Patterson
President
President
John is a seasoned executive, with over two decades of global experience driving exceptional growth for commercial enterprises. His proven ability to transform underperforming brands and establish successful start-ups is complemented by a deep expertise in technological advancements in Tobacco Harm Reduction. Having held senior leadership positions at NJOY, Juul Labs, and Aspire, John now serves as President of IKE Tech, where he spearheads the company's strategic vision, operational efficiency, and accelerated growth trajectory
John is a seasoned executive, with over two decades of global experience driving exceptional growth for commercial enterprises. His proven ability to transform underperforming brands and establish successful start-ups is complemented by a deep expertise in technological advancements in Tobacco Harm Reduction. Having held senior leadership positions at NJOY, Juul Labs, and Aspire, John now serves as President of IKE Tech, where he spearheads the company's strategic vision, operational efficiency, and accelerated growth trajectory
John is a seasoned executive, with over two decades of global experience driving exceptional growth for commercial enterprises. His proven ability to transform underperforming brands and establish successful start-ups is complemented by a deep expertise in technological advancements in Tobacco Harm Reduction. Having held senior leadership positions at NJOY, Juul Labs, and Aspire, John now serves as President of IKE Tech, where he spearheads the company's strategic vision, operational efficiency, and accelerated growth trajectory
Jason Carignan
Jason Carignan
Jason Carignan
Chief Commercial Officer
Chief Commercial Officer
Jason Carignan serves as Chief Commercial Officer at Chemular, Inc, and its affiliated companies, where he spearheads overall business strategy, revenue enhancement, strategic partnerships, and intellectual property management. Formerly, he was President of the Phillips & King and Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) divisions of Kretek International. He also founded and served as President of Dryft Sciences, which was acquired by British American Tobacco in late-2020. Earlier in his career, Jason founded and led Vapur, an outdoor recreation brand focused on ultra-portable hydration products and Tonic, a leading SoCal-based brand management consultancy.
Throughout his career, Mr. Carignan has helped champion growth and win markets for B2C and B2B companies across diverse industries including consumer products, premium tobacco, alcoholic beverages, outdoor products, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, financial services, wellness and healthcare. With pioneering vision, he has lead start-ups and middle-market companies manage ground-up business unit development, go-to-market strategies, marketing strategy, customer experience optimization, brand management, design management, digital modernization, mergers and acquisitions and public deal transactions.
Jason Carignan serves as Chief Commercial Officer at Chemular, Inc, and its affiliated companies, where he spearheads overall business strategy, revenue enhancement, strategic partnerships, and intellectual property management. Formerly, he was President of the Phillips & King and Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) divisions of Kretek International. He also founded and served as President of Dryft Sciences, which was acquired by British American Tobacco in late-2020. Earlier in his career, Jason founded and led Vapur, an outdoor recreation brand focused on ultra-portable hydration products and Tonic, a leading SoCal-based brand management consultancy.
Throughout his career, Mr. Carignan has helped champion growth and win markets for B2C and B2B companies across diverse industries including consumer products, premium tobacco, alcoholic beverages, outdoor products, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, financial services, wellness and healthcare. With pioneering vision, he has lead start-ups and middle-market companies manage ground-up business unit development, go-to-market strategies, marketing strategy, customer experience optimization, brand management, design management, digital modernization, mergers and acquisitions and public deal transactions.
Jason Carignan serves as Chief Commercial Officer at Chemular, Inc, and its affiliated companies, where he spearheads overall business strategy, revenue enhancement, strategic partnerships, and intellectual property management. Formerly, he was President of the Phillips & King and Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) divisions of Kretek International. He also founded and served as President of Dryft Sciences, which was acquired by British American Tobacco in late-2020. Earlier in his career, Jason founded and led Vapur, an outdoor recreation brand focused on ultra-portable hydration products and Tonic, a leading SoCal-based brand management consultancy.
Throughout his career, Mr. Carignan has helped champion growth and win markets for B2C and B2B companies across diverse industries including consumer products, premium tobacco, alcoholic beverages, outdoor products, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, financial services, wellness and healthcare. With pioneering vision, he has lead start-ups and middle-market companies manage ground-up business unit development, go-to-market strategies, marketing strategy, customer experience optimization, brand management, design management, digital modernization, mergers and acquisitions and public deal transactions.
Steven Przybyla
Steven Przybyla
Steven Przybyla
Legal Advisor
Legal Advisor
Steven Przybyla is a member of the Board of Managers of IKE and is one of its principal founders. Steven is also the Chief legal Officer and Secretary of Ispire Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:ISPR). He brings 10 plus years of experience in the regulated cannabis industry, and nearly half a decade of experience in nicotine/tobacco product regulation to IKE’s strategic leadership team.
Steven was previously General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:XXII) and helped to secure two Premarket Tobacco Product Application approvals and the only Modified Risk Tobacco Product approval for a combustible cigarette authorized by FDA. Prior to his time at 22nd Century, he helped build, scale and take-public companies such as Jushi, Inc. (CSE: JUSH) where he was among the initial employees and helped oversee Jushi’s growth to 1,500 employees while serving as President of Jushi’s medical division. Steven has also held roles as General Counsel of the Dent Neurologic Institute and the Seneca Development Corporation where he oversaw a variety of both cannabis and corporate legal initiatives.
Steven started his career as a corporate and regulatory attorney at Phillips Lytle LLP. Steven received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Washington & Lee University and his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.
Steven Przybyla is a member of the Board of Managers of IKE and is one of its principal founders. Steven is also the Chief legal Officer and Secretary of Ispire Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:ISPR). He brings 10 plus years of experience in the regulated cannabis industry, and nearly half a decade of experience in nicotine/tobacco product regulation to IKE’s strategic leadership team.
Steven was previously General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:XXII) and helped to secure two Premarket Tobacco Product Application approvals and the only Modified Risk Tobacco Product approval for a combustible cigarette authorized by FDA. Prior to his time at 22nd Century, he helped build, scale and take-public companies such as Jushi, Inc. (CSE: JUSH) where he was among the initial employees and helped oversee Jushi’s growth to 1,500 employees while serving as President of Jushi’s medical division. Steven has also held roles as General Counsel of the Dent Neurologic Institute and the Seneca Development Corporation where he oversaw a variety of both cannabis and corporate legal initiatives.
Steven started his career as a corporate and regulatory attorney at Phillips Lytle LLP. Steven received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Washington & Lee University and his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.
Efe Heywood
Efe Heywood
Efe Heywood
VP, Corporate Affairs
VP, Corporate Affairs
Efe is an accomplished Corporate Affairs and Brand Executive with over 20 years' experience helping businesses, governments, and individuals to define and propel their unique voice for meaningful societal and business impact. Her strategic acumen lies in navigating complex landscapes of public opinion, government policies, stakeholder advocacy and data-led insights to effectively shape communications and manage reputation.
She has led high-profile programs for Pfizer, Bupa, Diageo, UK Government Departments, and Dubai Tourism - earning multiple campaign effectiveness awards.
Efe currently leads on devising policy, media relations, government and stakeholder engagement strategies for IKE Tech, previously holding leadership roles at JUUL Labs, and global communications consultancy, Freuds. She holds a BSc in Medical Biochemistry and a Masters in Public Health, alongside mini-MBAs in Business Management and Marketing Strategy.
Efe is an accomplished Corporate Affairs and Brand Executive with over 20 years' experience helping businesses, governments, and individuals to define and propel their unique voice for meaningful societal and business impact. Her strategic acumen lies in navigating complex landscapes of public opinion, government policies, stakeholder advocacy and data-led insights to effectively shape communications and manage reputation.
She has led high-profile programs for Pfizer, Bupa, Diageo, UK Government Departments, and Dubai Tourism - earning multiple campaign effectiveness awards.
Efe currently leads on devising policy, media relations, government and stakeholder engagement strategies for IKE Tech, previously holding leadership roles at JUUL Labs, and global communications consultancy, Freuds. She holds a BSc in Medical Biochemistry and a Masters in Public Health, alongside mini-MBAs in Business Management and Marketing Strategy.
