CCC Commissioners Kim Ahern, Chairperson Kim Ahern was nominated by Governor Dan McKee to become the inaugural Chairperson of the Cannabis Control Commission in Rhode Island and was confirmed by the Rhode Island State Senate on June 13, 2023, to oversee the regulation, licensing, and enforcement of adult use and medical cannabis. Previously, Ahern held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor McKee, where she also served as Director of Policy and Senior Counsel with distinction. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Counsel in the office of former Governor Gina Raimondo for two years, as a Special Assistant Attorney General for nine years, and as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Maureen McKenna Goldberg of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Ahern holds a B.A. in Public & Community Service Studies from Providence College and a J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ahern has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the community. She was honored with the Providence Business News “40 Under Forty” award in 2021, and in 2016, she received the YWCA Woman of Achievement award, highlighting her professional work in public service, as a leader, role model, mentor and agent for positive change. Beyond serving her state, Ahern finds joy in spending quality time with her family, including her wife, three young children, and lovable dog. Layi Oduyingbo, Commissioner Layi Oduyingbo, also known as Attorney Odu, was born and raised in the Ocean State. Layi earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting from Providence College and his Juris Doctorate degree from Roger Williams University School of Law.After law school, Layi worked as an Appellate Attorney for a local firm advocating for disabled veterans and as in-house corporate and compliance counsel for a global company headquartered in Providence.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Layi served as a hearing officer for RI’s Board of Review of the Department of Labor and Training, where he assisted in hearing and rendering decisions on an increased volume of unemployment appeals.Currently, Layi is the managing attorney and founder of his own law firm based in Cranston, RI, where his team handles employment rights and personal injury claims for individual plaintiffs. Robert Jacquard, Commissioner Robert Jacquard is a lifelong resident of Cranston. Bob has made a career of public service. He is a former Cranston Police Sergeant and Assistant City Solicitor. Bob has been actively involved in youth sports, especially youth hockey, where he coached for more than 32 years. Bob served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives for twenty-eight years, from 1993 to 2020. In the General Assembly, Bob held notable positions such as Speaker Pro Tempore, Chair of the Committee on Corporations, and served on the House Finance Committee for over twenty years. Robert's dedication extends beyond his work to his family life. Bob is married to Kathleen Jacquard, and he has a daughter, Katie. Bob is a graduate of LaSalle Academy, Roger Williams College, Roger Williams University School of Law, and earned a Master’s Degree in Administration of Justice/Homeland Security from Salve Regina University. He currently practices law in a private office located in Providence. Michelle Reddish, Administrator Michelle Ann Reddish is a seasoned public health professional with a focus on cannabis regulations. Her journey in regulatory compliance began in 2016 at Schlumberger Oilfield Services, where she managed chemical disclosure procedures for hydraulic fracturing operations across North America and Canada. In 2018, she became the Regulatory Compliance Manager at Ravago Chemicals North America, leading initiatives to ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks for chemical import and export. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelle developed a personal interest in cannabis legalization, and in 2021, she became the Director of Compliance at C3 Industries, Inc., overseeing compliance across multiple states. In 2022, Michelle transitioned into state government in Oklahoma, joining the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority as Chief Regulatory Officer, where she led a dynamic team to ensure smooth programmatic functions and patient safety. As Chief Operations Officer, she later led operational efforts for the state’s medical marijuana program, overseeing human resources, project management, learning and development, and internal services. Raised in Harvey, Louisiana, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and later obtained a Master of Science and a Master of Public Health from Tulane University. She is a dedicated mother to twins, Jamal and Journey, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She also maintains professional affiliations the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA).
