Yan Gleyzer
Yan founded Vape Guys in 2014 in Virginia, and was recently recognized by Inc Magazine 5000 and the Financial Times as one of America’s fastest growing companies. VGI Brands is a leading retailer and distributor of vapor and smoke shop products. Yan has multiple retail locations throughout Virginia in addition to a vast international distribution operation. Yan distributes products worldwide, throughout 15 countries. Yan is a very active supporter of the vaping and cannabis industries and serves as President of the Virginia Smoke Free Association as well as the Virginia Healthy Alternatives Association.
Maggie Gowen
Maggie has over 10 years of marketing, branding and communications experience in the vape industry having worked for the two largest US vape and smoke shop retailers.
In 2017, Maggie was instrumental in the launch of the Global Vaping Standards Association (GVSA) and oversaw advocacy, US regulatory affairs, membership, operations and communications efforts. Previously, Maggie worked as a marketing consultant with multiple clients in healthcare, education, real estate and specialty foods, focusing on brand and account management, research and public relations. Maggie has over 25 years of marketing and communications expertise building international brands. She was also the co-founder of a national in-home painting party business, Pretty in Paint, LLC.
Maggie is a graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing Management. She also serves on the board of the Virginia Smoke Free Association and chairs the Communications Committee.
Duane Lassiter
Duane Lassiter is a co-owner of 7 Cities Vapes based in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. We currently have four locations in the area. My partners and I are lifelong friends, and we were long time smokers of deadly combustible cigarettes. In 2012, I discovered electronic cigarettes, and decided to make the switch to a reduced risk alternative. By 2013, all of my business partners had made the switch as well, but at that time, there were no real shops to cater to our needs. We then decided to open a retail store to help others have access to this life changing product. We have always run a responsible shop, offering product and industry knowledge, advocating for safety, and educating our customers. We are founding members of the VSFA, and have held a seat on the board of the VSFA since inception.
Noelle Pryor
Noelle worked in the healthcare insurance industry for 14 years before opening RVA Vapes in Richmond, VA in 2013. A vaper of eight years, she is passionate of the industry and advocating for safer alternatives for adult smokers. Noelle is also a founding board member of the VFSA.
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS TEAM
Dylan Bishop
Dylan Bishop brings knowledge and experience from nearly every aspect of the political and legislative arenas He comes from the office of Senator Charles W. “Bill” Carrico, where he served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Aide to the Chairman of both the Senate Transportation Committee and the Joint Commission on Health Care.
Prior to his tenure in the legislature, Dylan worked as a legislative policy analyst for the Department of Motor Vehicles and was awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Pinnacle Award for his work in crafting the regulatory framework for companies like Uber and Lyft. He also has effectively lobbied for a diverse group of business interests and trade associations before the Virginia General Assembly, and has managed successful political campaigns and grass roots initiatives across the Commonwealth.
Dylan is also an Associate at Eckert Seamans.
