Happy Father’s Day from Vireo Health!
Today is Father’s Day, an opportunity to celebrate all the fathers out there who work tirelessly to support and protect their children and families. It is also a time to remember those who have lost their fathers and honor and cherish their memories.
Being a father is not easy. But every hug you give, every joke you tell, every time that you listen patiently and see things from your child’s point of view, you are being a role model for your child, and you are shaping them into a person who will grow up to make you proud.
So, this Father’s Day, we celebrate all the Dads out there who would do anything for their children!
Vireo is proud to have many incredible Dads on our team. Each is a father who is dedicated to creating the best possible outcomes for our customers and their children. This year for Father’s Day, we asked a few Vireo Dads about what it is like to balance their work and home lives.
We also caught up with a Father & Son Team who works together at our cultivation site in Arizona and asked them what is it was like to work at the same company as each other!
First up is Christian Gonzalez, Vireo’s Chief Operations Officer
Tell us a little about yourself – where are you from, where do you work at Vireo, and what’s your title?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I grew up in the eastern shore town of Fajardo. I currently serve as Vireo’s Chief Operations Officer, which I execute primarily from home or the road. My focus is on directing business operations and ensuring they remain in line with the strategic goals of the company.
Tell us about your children and/or family?
I have a stepson named Nathan, who is 7. I met Nathan 2 weeks before his 3rd birthday, and we’ve been inseparable since. I’ve enjoyed watching him learn lots of things, including becoming fully bilingual. Nathan enjoys video games, and he is also very athletic. His favorite sport is basketball, and he plays biweekly as part of a local children’s league. The one thing that Nathan has always wanted was a little brother or sister, and just last month, we found out that we are expecting. Our family should grow by one in early 2022, and Nathan couldn’t be more excited to be a big brother.
Why did you decide to join Vireo?
I met Dr. Kingsley through a friend/colleague of mine, and one thing led to another. Eventually, he asked me to join Vireo to help launch the company’s Pennsylvania operation. When I looked into the company, I was moved by the strong focus on making medicine to help people and patients. It felt like I could make a positive difference for many people out there. The rest is history.
What made you initially interested in the cannabis industry?
I was always curious about the industry, especially because of the different perspectives between cannabis’s ability to be a medicine versus the stigma around the plant. Meeting Dr. Kingsley and learning about Vireo was the tipping point for me as far as interest and what drove me straight into the industry.
What are some of the challenges unique to the industry?
The variance in regulatory landscape from state to state is always a challenge, so is the general lack of regular banking and financial support. But we will work through it as a company and an industry!
What do you like about working with cannabis?
I like the challenge it represents. I also love how rewarding it is at times.
How do you talk to your kids about your career in cannabis and deal with the stigma around the plant?
Nathan is fairly young, so his mind is still very open, so he has not yet encountered the “stigma” around cannabis. However, he knows I work for a company and that we make medicine to help kids like him that need it, and he is aware that it is for a good cause. Ultimately, the cause is what matters, and most kids are all about the right cause.
What are your favorite activities or hobbies outside work?
I grew up fascinated by mechanical things like airplanes, cars, watches. You name it. The fewer electronics, the more I like the machine. On my time off (what time off?) I enjoy flying and fabricating. My most recent project (a pandemic special) was a 50-year-old motorcycle that I restored over the span of a year.
Any advice to other working fathers?
Work-life balance is essential. Though, I am first to admit that I do not have a good grip on that balance. However, I see it as a continuous improvement. You find efficiencies in your work all the time and go after them, right? It is best if you can do the same in your personal life. Find efficiencies and go after them to maximize the quality of the time you do have with your loved ones.
Want to shout out your kids or family?
Shout out to my wife, Ericka, for being a rock and always standing by me as I pursue my crazy work life. Shout out to Nathan for being such a well-mannered and behaved kid, even if that means tiptoeing around me because I am in a meeting! 😉
A big congrats from everyone at Vireo to Christian for the exciting news about his growing family!
Joseph and Joey Rustenhaven are a father-son duo at our cultivation site in Arizona. They told us a little about themselves, how they came to work together, and what it is like working alongside your father or son!
Tell us a little about yourself – where are you from, where do you work at Vireo, and what are your titles?
Joseph – I grew up in southern California and now live in southern Arizona. I have been with Vireo at the Elephant Head farm location for close to 2 years while working as an Inventory Specialist.
Joey – Well, I moved here to Arizona with my wife and two daughters from the East Coast to pursue my dreams of working in the cannabis industry!
Why did you decide to join Vireo? Who started here first?
Joseph – I was always curious about the cannabis industry, and when Vireo had an opening, I applied and was hired. I joined Vireo first, which at the time made my son a little upset since working in this business was his dream.
Joey – My passion for cannabis is the driving force behind my want to obtain all knowledge of this wonderful plant that we grow!
What is it like to work together at the same company as father and son?
Joseph – Working at the same farm as my son has been a great experience, especially when we have the chance to work together.
Joey – My father was the first one out of the two to land a job working with cannabis. Let’s just say I was “slightly” envious!
What some of the challenges and advantages of being on the father/son team?
Joseph – There haven’t been any disadvantages except when Vireo thought we were the same person since our names are the same. Advantages are simply working around my son and seeing him each day even though our jobs are different.
Joey – No comment. Just kidding, working on such a large-scale operation is a dream come true, and I can honestly say I’m one of the lucky few who get to take place in this process. Getting to have my father by my side is something I’d never thought was possible when I was growing up.
What made you originally interested in the cannabis industry?
Joseph – I got interested in the cannabis industry simply because I saw firsthand how well it took away the pain I had from numerous surgeries. I wanted to be a part of helping others find relief.
Joey – The fact that cannabis is such a multi-generational medicine is a cool thing to see. Just seeing the taboo label being removed is beautiful enough. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll be able to give my daughters the knowledge about growing not only cannabis but vegetables, fruit, and also growing in life.
What are your favorite activities or hobbies outside work?
Joseph – I and my son both enjoy the outdoors, fishing, and camping, which we try and do when we get the chance.
Joey – What my dad said, plus spending time with my wife and daughters!
Any advice to other working fathers?
Joseph – My advice to any father/son would be to enjoy the opportunity to work around each other since most companies don’t allow it.
Want to shout out anyone at Vireo or in your family?
Joseph – It’s been a great experience working for Vireo and the inventory group from the top down.
Joey – A big shout to my wife for being so supportive of me in my pursuit of working in the cannabis industry!
A special congrats from everyone at Vireo to Christian for the exciting news about his growing family!
From all of us at Vireo Health – Happy Father’s Day! We hope you have a healthy and happy day with your families.