The Marshall Ogen CBA
The Marshall Ogen Community Builder Award (CBA) is a prestigious accolade that celebrates trailblazers who embody the essence of community building within the cannabis industry. These individuals are not just industry players; they are catalysts for connection, advocates for progress, and champions of collaboration.
This Year's Award Winner
Leo Bridgewater
MJ Unpacked Atlantic City '26 Winner
Leo Bridgewater Sr. was born and raised in Trenton, NJ. He attended Trenton Central High School, graduating in 1994, and was a member of the class of 98 from St Augustine’s College located in Raleigh, NC.
In 2001, Leo enlisted in the United States Army in response to the September 11 attacks in New York City and Washington DC. Leo spent 5 years as a Telecommunications specialist with multiple deployments to Iraq. Leo separated from the Army in 2006 and spent 2 ½ years working for the Dept of the Army at the Pentagon in Washington DC. As a Department of Defense Contractor serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Leo has worked for companies like L-3 Communications, ITT Systems, and Excellis. Having had 3 battle buddies attempt suicide, and 2 being successful. The number of Veteran suicides per day (22) is an issue Leo finds to be totally unacceptable. Leo’s advocacy has seen him testify in the NJ Senate Committee to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) added to the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. In September of 2016, NJ Gov. Chris Christie signed bill S-2345, adding PTSD as a qualifying condition to the NJMMP.
Leo served as an Advisory Board Member for the Cannabis World Conference Business Expo (CWCBE) and as a former National Director of Veterans Outreach with Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana, now serving as an executive board member. Leo is Co-Founder of Cannagather NJ and has partnered with organizations like Coalition Medical Marijuana New Jersey, Women Grow, Drug Policy Alliance, The American Civil Liberties Union, Cannabis Cultural Association, the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association, and NJ Cannabusiness Association.
Leo has testified in the NJ Senate Committee for bill S3195, The Taxation and regulation of cannabis for adult use. As a Co-Founder of Service Disabled Veterans in Cannabis(SDVIC), Co-Founder/Chief of Staff of Collective 60, and current CEO of Jane Train. Leo hopes to be a vessel through which the industry works in the state of New Jersey. Leo is married to Dr. LaShona Bridgewater, PhD, and has two children: Leo Jr., 19, and Langston, 9.
Previous Award Winners
Scott Rudder
MJ Unpacked Atlantic City '25 Winner
Scott Rudder has executive-level experience and subject matter expertise in the areas of politics, policy, and business strategy.
Having spent 25+ years in high-level political and business environments, Scott took the entrepreneurial leap by starting his own enterprise as well as becoming a partner at Burton Trent Public Affairs. Through these endeavors, Scott founded the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, New Jersey’s first and largest cannabis industry group. The NJCBA leads cannabis reform efforts and helps companies and individuals navigate the challenges of opening and operating cannabis-related businesses.
As a Partner at Burton Trent, Scott leads legislative campaigns and business development strategies on behalf of his clients. Scott leverages his political background as well as his 13 years of experience as a business development leader for defense and tech giant Lockheed Martin to the benefit of Burton Trent clients. Scott has a proven track record of developing and executing a decisive and disciplined process that brings a competitive advantage to the initiatives he leads.
Having worked for a Congressman, a Governor and the former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Scott decided early on he wanted to run for office to help make a difference. So, at the age of 27, Scott ran for local office and won. After ten years as a councilman and mayor, Scott ran for a won the first of his three terms as a State Assemblyman.
Scott is a father of four, a husband, son, brother, friend and fierce advocate for what he believes in.
Marshall Ogen
MJ Unpacked Atlantic City '24 Winner
Established in 2024, the inaugural CBA, presented in partnership with the New Jersey Cannabis Business Association, shined its first spotlight on Marshall Ogen of Cannabis BPO. Marshall’s relentless dedication to forging meaningful relationships, fostering invaluable connections, and propelling the cannabis sector forward sets him apart as a visionary and leader. We honored Marshall Ogen during the Opening Night Reception at MJ Unpacked Atlantic City for his unparalleled contributions to the cannabis community.
Marshall Ogen is a seasoned leader with over three decades of expertise in the contact center and consumer/patient care domain. As the Vice President of Business Strategy at CannabisBPO, alongside its affiliated companies PharmaCentra and Concentra Solutions, Marshall has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives tailored to the unique needs of the legal cannabis industry. Drawing upon his extensive background in quality assurance and customer care, he has pioneered innovative solutions to address present challenges and anticipate future trends in the cannabis sector.
Marshall’s influence extends beyond his corporate role; he serves as a strategic advisor to the New Jersey Cannabusiness Association, contributing his insights to shape industry practices. Additionally, Marshall’s involvement with esteemed organizations like the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) underscores his commitment to advancing the field. His leadership as the former chair of the Mid-Atlantic Professional Association of Customer Experience (PACE) reflects his dedication to fostering excellence in customer-centric practices.
A prolific writer and speaker, Marshall’s contributions to the discourse on cannabis span over five years, culminating in his membership in the Rolling Stone Culture Council. Through his articles and engagements, he enriches public understanding of the evolving cannabis landscape. Marshall’s academic pursuits are equally noteworthy; as an adjunct professor at Rider University, he imparts knowledge on cannabis-specific curriculum, shaping the next generation of industry professionals. Moreover, his collaboration with Rider University and fellow cannabis experts resulted in the publication of seminal research titled “The Future of Cannabis in New Jersey,” shedding light on critical socio-economic dynamics.
With a solid foundation in Political Science from Rider University, Marshall combines academic rigor with practical acumen to drive meaningful change in the cannabis industry. His multifaceted roles as a strategist, advisor, educator, and advocate underscore his enduring commitment to shaping the future of cannabis with integrity and foresight.
Nominate Your Favorite Person for the Community Builder Award
The award intends to celebrate the best among us based on their character and core values.
These individuals have gone above and beyond their roles and positions to foster meaningful relationships, connect individuals who can provide value to each other in their relationships, and support the advocacy and advancement of the cannabis industry.
MJ Unpacked will coordinate with state associations to encourage stakeholders to nominate candidates for their respective state’s CBA. All state CBA recipients will be invited to attend MJ Unpacked where we will announce the national award winner at the opening night reception.
The following criteria should be the guideposts in the selection of your State CBA Recipient:
Relationship Building: Emphasis on the nominee’s ability to:
- Foster meaningful connections within the cannabis community.
- Facilitate collaborations and partnerships.
- Create opportunities for others to thrive through networking and support.
Professional Excellence: The nominee’s professional achievements within the cannabis industry, such as:
- Business success and leadership.
- Innovation in cannabis products, services, or practices.
- Commitment to ethical business practices.
Industry Advocacy: Recognition of efforts to advance the cannabis industry through:
- Advocacy for fair and equitable cannabis policies.
- Support for social equity programs.
- Contributions to public education about cannabis.
Community Service: The hallmark of a nominee’s impact within their community. This includes:
- Consistent and meaningful volunteer work.
- Leadership in addressing community needs and challenges.
- Long-term commitment to community service and positive change.
