Our Company
Global Packaging and Product Turnkey Supplier
The Calico Group is a global packaging and product firm with the unique capability to contract manufacture goods anywhere in the world at any time. Based out of Austin, Texas with both national and overseas offices and assets around the globe, we carry a unique advantage across our main product and service verticals to provide a direct and customized approach to uniquely match our clients’ ongoing needs. Ranging from custom packaging to turnkey product manufacturing, coupled with a comprehensive supply chain buildout to fit our customer’s needs. The Calico Group is positioned to be the go-to strategy for businesses ranging from startups to multinational corporations.
Our Values are what sets us apart from the rest.
Commitment
Committed to our supply partners, clients and employees.
Integrity
We do what’s right.
Accountability
We do what we say.
People
We grow talent.
Performance
We deliver.
Together with our customers, we are driven to make the industry better.
At the heart of what we do and believe is making each unique customer successful, which in turn strengthens our organization from the core. We do this by collaborating with our customers to develop innovative products and services that ultimately improve the vitality and execution of each distinct project. Our core values guide our behavior and actions. These values are part of our make-up and are fundamental to how we execute our mission.
We have Global Offices to meet your needs wherever you are.
Our History
Our Leadership
Max Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Max brings invaluable leadership and oversight to The Calico Group, setting the tone, vision, and culture of the organization. As the Founder & CEO, he oversees organizational strategy, goals & objectives, finance, sales management, and firm governance. Prior to The Calico Group’s founding in 2017, Max served as Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Tomorrow Energy: a national retail electricity and natural gas supplier covering residential and small-medium sized business segments across a multitude of states, most notably the Mid-West, and East Coast. Building Tomorrow Energy from the ground up, he directly managed national sales, market strategy, corporate vision, and financial risk. Along with carrying a deeply embedded entrepreneurial spirit, Max also carries an extensive generational background in global supply chains, that bears a drastic impact on the organization.
Max was born and raised in San Diego, California, and graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Corporate Management. He enjoys living in Austin, Texas with his wife and children along with frequent travel.
Mark Russ
President
Mark is a veteran commercial and general management executive with extensive experience in the cannabis and beverage industries. In his current role as the President of The Calico Group Mark is responsible for leading high performing and customer focused teams that work with the best cannabis companies in the industry. He and his team are tasked with providing world class products and supply chain solutions to our customers which drive increased revenue and profits.
Prior to Calico, Mark served as the President of the West Region at Curaleaf where he oversaw operations, marketing, distribution and sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. Mark has also held executive and sales roles at Lowell Farms, Constellation Brands, Red Bull, and Diageo.
Mark is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and holds a BS in Business Administration from San Francisco State University. Mark and his family reside in Austin, Texas.
John Daly
Chief Operating Officer
John is the Chief Operating Officer of The Calico Group, bringing years of executive leadership in the fields of Finance, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Global Supply Chain. In his current role, he is responsible for Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Real Estate, and IT. In previous roles, John served as a Senior Executive with Algo, a supply chain data analytics firm, as the SVP of Global Supply Chain for Sony Pictures Entertainment, overseeing all manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations for Theatrical and Television Home Entertainment.
As EVP of North American Operations for Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation, he led manufacturing and distribution operations for many of the major global music and entertainment companies. In addition, he has held various executive and financial positions for Cinram, Time Warner, SPS Technologies, and Coopers & Lybrand. John enjoys cycling, hiking, a good movie with his family, and currently resides in Austin, Texas.
Heidi Schultz
Vice President - National Sales
In her current position as Vice President of National Sales, Heidi focuses on strategies to help promote the products and services that The Calico Group can provide to all clients to add value within their current portfolio. She is heavily focused on developing and motivating the sales staff to their full potential with the goal of successfully driven plans. Heidi believes in always doing what’s right and growing strong personal relationships not only within her organization but creating an extension to her clients. In Heidi’s free time she enjoys traveling with her family and prefers the beach or a ski slope!
Sage Sackett
Controller
Sage has served as The Calico Group’s Controller since 2018 and has had tremendous impact on the overall business operations. Bringing in her prior experience as the VP of Functional Areas under SNH Inc., she has been integral in providing executive leadership and strategic direction to all facets of the company. Prior to her time with SNH Inc. and The Calico Group, Sage spent almost 15 years with National Credit Center, one of the nations top credit reporting resellers in the automotive industry. While her official title was Director of Operations, Sage’s reach at NCC was far and wide and she gained a vast amount of experience in everything from Human Resources and Accounting to Compliance and Software Development. In her personal time Sage enjoys spending time with her four children, working out, watching the Chargers play and drinking craft beer.
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