Hortica’s Team

Our Team

Dr. Yaron Penn

Co-Founder and Co-CEO

Dr. Penn holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the Department of Neuroscience at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
He has co-founded two Cannabis-centric companies, one of which is listed on the ASX (ESE).
He has extensive experience in the field of medicinal cannabis, from genetics, to processing, to understanding national and international regulatory requirements.
Dr. Penn is also a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Cannabis Research, a newly established peer- reviewed journal published by Springer Publishing.

Tzvika Klepar

Co-CEO

Tzvika has established and managed several companies I in the US and in Israel, his expertise is planning and executing business strategies. His education background is Computer Science at NYIT, NY and Practical Mechanical Engineering at BOSMAT Technion, Israel

Moshe Fourier

Chief Engineer

Multi-cultural / multi-industry / multi-functional background executive, enabling both day to day and strategic management, with proven ability to develop opportunities serving as CEO at various hi-tech companies.

Chen Gershberg

Botanical Unit Manager

Chen has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in plant science
Her research focused on the biology of flowering perennials
Chen was employed at the Volcanic Institute as a research engineer in the Gene Bank and then as a research engineer at Prof. Kamenski’s lab
In her role she managed the biotechnology aspect at the laboratory.

Lior Cohen

Analytical Unit Manager

Lior holds MS.c degree in mapping engineering with specialization in remote sensing.
He has gained vast experience in visual sensing and spatial geo-data applications, specializing in precision agriculture fields.
Lior specializes in collecting and analyzing acquired data pipelines onto meaningful insights generating

Amikam Saban

COO

20 Background in agricultural at Tzofar, manage and deploy verity of agricultural projects around the world. holds a BS in business development.

Itamar Cohen

Project Manager

Bsc Engineering/Industrial Management

Arik Gabai

Project Manager

Lina Lugery

Agronomist

Lina has a Bachelor’s in Agriculture and Master’s degree in Plant Breeding and Seed Production.

Our Advisory Board

Dr. Menachem Dinar

Agriculture Scientific Adviser

Dr. Dinar is the Former Chief Agronomist at Netafim, a leading international smart water solutions provider.
He has led multiple international consultancy and research projects for governments, the IFC World Bank and commercial companies in a number of countries.
Dr. Dinar holds a PhD in Field & Vegetable Crops from the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University, and his specialties include greenhouse production and irrigation.

Dr. Yoram Houminer

Organic Chemistry Adviser

A leading Organic Chemistry expert, Dr. Houminer was a senior scientist and group leader at the Philip Morris research center.
He has also served as a consultant at the Israel Innovation Authority for more then 20 years, reviewing more than 950 different projects.
Dr. Houminer has over 30 registered patents and 40 publications under his name.