4Front Ventures Corp. announced that its board of directors have appointed Andrew Thut as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 8, 2024. Mr. Thut will succeed Leo Gontmakher, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since May 30, 2020.

Mr. Gontmakher will remain on the Board as a director and serve as a consultant to the Company. Mr. Thut, 50 was an early investor in the Company, and joined the Company full time as Chief Investment Officer in October 2014. He brings to the team a wealth of financial management experience and business acumen having previously served as Managing Director of the BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund at BlackRock Advisors LLC.

During his 11-year involvement with BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund, the $2 billion fund ranked in the top 5% of all domestic small cap growth funds. He also has held positions at MFS Investment Management and BT Alex Brown. Since joining the Company, he has immersed himself in every facet of the cannabis industry, from the relevant financial drivers of the industry to hands-on experience with dispensaries and cultivation facilities.

Mr. Thut holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College.