The Talaria Team
Our industry needs top-notch experts that create innovative solutions to take logistics to the next level. Our team is dedicated to high quality, flexibility, and putting the needs of our customers first.
Meet The Team
Regulated cannabis needs a logistics partner with the right experience. That’s exactly what we bring to the table. From lifelong entrepreneurs to experienced business professionals, retired law enforcement to compliance experts, we bring a diverse set of experiences to serve you.
Ari Raptis
Chief Executive Officer
Ari is the founder and visionary behind Talaria.He is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years in logistics and business management leading the company with a wide range of real-world experience. With a specialized focus in secure logistics, his businesses background and leadership skills make him an integral part of Talaria and our community outreach efforts. Ari has been an advocate for the industry and is regarded as one of the industries leading voices for reliable and safe logistics in the cannabis industry.
Ryan Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Ryan is a versatile leader with 25-year track record of innovation and operational excellence driving revenue and earnings growth. He has led multiple high-growth organizations as COO leading to numerous multi-million dollar exits. His experience spans operations, financial management, leadership, and sales across multiple sectors including retail, technology, and cannabis. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University and holds an MBA from the University of Denver.
Andrew Nedelka
VP of Operations
Andrew has an extensive background in business development and operations, stemming from a decade of entrepreneurship. He has worked with teams of varied sizes and has always strived to bring a focus on consistency, reliability, and transparency to an organization. Andrew servces as the leader for the company’s logistics operation and growing our services nationwide.
Brandon O'Hara
Director, Customer Success
Brandon comes to Talaria with an extensive background in customer success and nonprofit management. His background includes experiences in technology, hospitality, education, and medicine. He has created globally recognized learning programs and streamlined processes for numerous Fortune 500’s. A holder of several professional certifications, Brandon brings to Talaria a wealth of knowledge in customer development, education, and training as our Director of Customer Success.
Todd M. Bashore
Regional Manager
Todd is a 32 year veteran of the East Pennsboro Township Police Department in central Pennsylvania. Throughout his distinguished career, he served in many roles leading to being appointed as the Chief of Police in 2011 and served in that capacity until he retired in 2018. Bashore is a 1985 graduate of the 33rd PA Municipal Police Academy, attended Harrisburg Area Community College majoring in Police Science, and attended Police Executive Development program and Police Supervisor Training through Penn State University. Todd joined Talaria as a Regional Manager and is instrumental in the daily operations of Talaria’s delivery teams and fleet management.
Douglas Young
Vault Manager
Doug Young is an Army veteran and a Retired Lieutenant with the Pennsylvania State Police. During his 25 years of service with the State Police, his assignments include work in Patrol and serving 15 years as an Pennsylvania State Police Academy firearms instructor and supervisor. In 2011, he was commissioned by the State Police and began service as Commander of the Basic Training Division. Doug supports the company’s daily operations including the company’s expansion and new customer onboarding.
William A. Teper, Jr.
Regional Manager
Bill is a retired Major from the Pennsylvania State Police. During his 30 year career, Bill served in many roles from overseeing criminal investigations, intelligence operations, undercover investigations, dignitary protection, coordinating large scale events, commanding the Bureau of Forensic Services and prior to retirement, served as the Area I Commander, overseeing 1,200 personnel, both enlisted and civilian in Western Pennsylvania. He supports the company’s western region hub and lead the company’s field recruiting efforts.
Barbara Williams
Accounting Manager
Barbara Williams is an Army Veteran and has over 20 years experience running and working in the accounting department, having worked in a variety of different industries from transportation to retail and just about everything in between. What she loves most of all in her job is knowing she’s part of a team that has helped small to medium companies not only survive, but to thrive, grow and even expand if they choose to. Barbara joined the Talaria Team in July 2022 and is key in Talaria’s daily operations.
Danny Fry
Vault Manager
Danny Fry is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a retired Sergeant with the Pennsylvania State Police. While in the Air Force, he provided air base ground defense, law enforcement and security duties. During his 25 year career with the State Police, his assignments included patrol, criminal investigations, vice investigations and he also served as a Station Commander. Danny graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
Joe Wentzell
VP of Revenue
Joe Wentzell brings 25 years of retail operations and wholesale sales experience to his role. He has launched, operated, and sold small companies. Additionally, he has served as the Director of Retail strategy for the largest bicycle retailer in the United States with 110 stores in 40 states. Most recently Joe has served as Head of Revenue and Head of Wholesale for two respected multi-state cannabis operators. This past experience serves Joe well in his current role which oversees our marketing, sales, and customer success teams. Throughout Joe’s career he is known to identify and develop talented employees while keeping his focus on the customer.
Heather Underwood
Talent Manager
Heather Underwood brings 18 years of Human Resources experience across multiple industries to her role. Heather joined the Talaria team in July 2022 and supports our Talent Development initiatives, payroll processes, and human resources operations.
Brandy Spurgeon
Manager, Customer Success
Brandy Spurgeon came aboard Talaria in May of 2022. She has extensive experience in education and program management. While working for the local school district, she coordinated events to highlight issues and provide resources for troubled youth. Her passion for helping today’s youths as well as their families has extended beyond the classroom.
Education and program management is not her only area of expertise. She has worked both in the medical and commercial real estate sectors. Having this experience allows her to bring a variety of knowledge, a passion for helping others, and an ability to build strong relationships.
Allan Wheeler
Vault Lead
Al is retired from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. During his 28-year career he was assigned to numerous positions within the patrol: Academy Instructor, Aviation Pilot, Investigator, Executive Protection Officer, and Sergeant. After retiring he was a private contractor with the Dept. Of State assigned to the US Ambassador’s security detail in Kabul Afghanistan for a period of 2 years. Upon returning from
Afghanistan, he was a police chief for 3 years in a small suburb of Columbus Ohio until taking a private executive protection director position. Al still holds a police commission with a sheriff’s department in Ohio and provides them with yearly firearms training.
David Martin
Vault Manager
David Martin is a retired Corporal of the Pennsylvania State Police. During his 25 career with the State Police he served 10 years in patrol functions and 15 years at the Academy. During the Academy he supervised the Departments Ceremonial Honor Guard Unit and coordinated the schedule for Cadet training. He joined Talaria in 2018 and is instrumental to daily operations, facility maintenance and technology systems.
Michelle Morris
Compliance Manager
Michelle Morris serves as our Head of Licensing and Compliance. As a strong proponent of Nutraceuticals and Phytomedicine, she took her 25 years of Regulatory and Legal Compliance expertise and entered the Cannabis space in 2017. In 2022, Ms. Morris graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics and Policy, from the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. Michelle specializes in writing Cannabis vertical license applications and has successfully been awarded cannabis licenses in multiple states. As a result, Michelle has been chosen to evaluate new cannabis license applications by state cannabis licensing commissions. Her vast knowledge in legal compliance has been an essential part of her building, implementing, and maintaining compliant work environments for Talaria and past employers. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to baseball games, and reading by the beach.
John Tucker
Account Executive
John Tucker has over 16 years of B2B sales experience in various FinTech areas, including Payments (Cash, Check, ACH, Bankcard, BNPL, etc.) and Alternative Lending. Tucker is an M.B.A. graduate and holder of three bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, Business Management, and Journalism. Tucker has helped hundreds of small, medium, and large businesses throughout his career with the growth of their operations, via deployment of innovative FinTech solutions.
