Our Team – TheGreenBlueMarketplace

Time to meet

Our Team Members

Dr. Isaac B. Horton III

Managing Partner, Founder

Dr. Isaac B. Horton III

Managing Partner, Founder

Dr Horton has 40 years of experience technology, patents, international business, and finance. He has recruited 17 executives with billion-dollar management experience in multiple industries, owned companies in Belgium, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and the east and west coast of the US. He has traveled to 38 countries and 48 states. His first company produced $20 million sales in three years in 1997. He and those companies were issued over 120 patents in light, water, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, and green technology. He is currently the managing partner of the Green Blue Marketplace.

Isaac B. Horton IV

Founder and EVP

Isaac B. Horton IV

Founder and EVP

Isaac B. Horton IV is a Founder and visionary of The Green Blue Marketplace. As a young degreed economist out of the Bryan School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Isaac has strived in the social justice and the small business arenas for 12 years. His first company Oak City Fish and Chips has produced 4 Million dollars in sales, growing from one food truck to a statewide sensation with multiple food trucks and restaurants, with intentions to franchise nationally. Currently he serves as a member on the board of directors for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the governing entity for all activity in Raleigh's downtown center.

Byron Horton

Founder, Corporate Secretary, Director of Security and External Relationships

Byron Horton

Founder, Corporate Secretary, Director of Security and External Relationships

Byron B. Horton is a founding member of GBM, where he serves as Corporate Secretary, Director of Security and Director of External Relationship. He has an international degree in Spanish speaking countries from Ravenscroft, where he traveled and spent time in 5 countries. At High Point University, he majored in marketing and international business with an emphasis in Chinese. He has worked for Piedmont Investment advisors in Research on stocks, Oak City fish and chips, where as a manager handle payroll, scheduling, customer service, staffing and inventory. Recently, as a store manager for several retail stores he increased sales and developed great customer relationship.

Zack Abegunrin

Founder and VP of Construction

Zack Abegunrin

Founder and VP of Construction

Zack Abegunrin, PE / IFCM SOLUTIONS, LLC background is extensive. He graduated from North Carolina State University in Civil Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of NC and has over 30 years of experience in construction with the State government, including Building Systems Engineer, Assistant Director for Construction Administration at the State Construction Office, managing a $9 billion budget, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management at NC Central University managing over $450 million in construction projects.

Ahmed Shaikh

COO / CFO

Ahmed Shaikh

COO / CFO

Shaikh served as the Senior Vice President of Operations, Real Estate and Store Planning for Computer City, America’s second largest computer superstore retailer, where he was personally involved in developing over 6,000 active team. As Regional Operations Manager of Comp USA, his responsibility was implementing the first retail computer superstore chain’s vision of expansion from 2 to 66 stores with revenues of more than $2 Billion. Prior to CompUSA, Shaikh held various position in Target Stores. He has 15 years as Dr. Horton’s partner.

William King

VP of Wellness, Health and Longevity

William King

VP of Wellness, Health and Longevity

As a result of a skiing accident and subsequent pharmaceutical dependency, King was left with a variety of chronic debilitating diseases for which western medicine had no remedy. He was able to restore his health using alternative methods such as juicing, detoxification and diet. King has held numerous executive positions including: Founder/CEO of 900 Solutions Inc., President/CEO of Voice-Tel of Austin TX, Founder of Akea, LLC - a lifestyle wellness company based on research of Blue Zones / Longevity Hot Spots, and Founder and CEO of The Nutra Company.

Vikki Lassiter

Vice President of Strategy and Social Impact

Vikki Lassiter

Vice President of Strategy and Social Impact

Vikki Lassiter is an organizational development executive, community health strategist, and entrepreneur passionate about systems change at the root of social and health inequities. Vikki has led a wide range of strategy, innovation and transformation projects across multiple sectors. In addition, Vikki has worked globally and nationally on a number of consulting projects developing research frameworks, evaluating advocacy initiatives and conducting feasibility studies. With more than two decades of experience in the areas of community-partnered research, business development and policy advocacy, Vikki continues to design and scale social impact strategies that promote thriving communities and deliver positive business results.

Jeremy Knox

VP of Blockchain and Metaverse Technologies

Jeremy Knox

VP of Blockchain and Metaverse Technologies

Jeremy Knox is a Software Engineering Leader, Blockchain Executive, and Cryptocurrency Expert. He has over 12 years of experience developing cutting edge applications specializing in Big Data and Analytics. Jeremy also has 5 years of experience investing in blockchain technologies. Founder and Chief Analyst of Hive Mind Trading where he educates on the benefits of blockchain technologies and empowers groups of all backgrounds to be successful in Crypto.

Caleb Udofia

Director of Advertising and Blockchain

Caleb Udofia

Director of Advertising and Blockchain

Caleb Udofia is a Graduate of UNC Greensboro where he studied biology and business. During his college years he had the pleasure of discovering Facebook in its first year and saw a new trend of direct to consumer ads via Social Media Advertising. 18 Years later he has worked with 100s of companies and has been responsible for 100s of millions of sales through his digital advertising efforts. He has co-founded and launched digital consultancies, eCommerce brands, data companies and serves as founder of Synergistic Global Advisors, a global innovative consultancy group. His intro into blockchain came in 2010 and for the past few years has been actively building in the crypto space. He has a passion for innovative technology and providing innovative solutions to an ever evolving world.

Gabriel Smith

Director of Content and Animation

Gabriel Smith

Director of Content and Animation

Gabriel Smith (Founder of AnimNation Productions) has over 15 years of experience in 3D Animation and Motion Graphics. He has lead animation teams and production working on projects with DreamWorks, Namco, Intel and more. He has created character and Prop animation for video games like Kung Fu Panda Showdown of Legendary Legends, Ben 10 Omniverse and more. Gabriel combines technology with his continuous study of movement, music, and expression to achieve beautiful aesthetics.

Marques Kidd

VP of Global Retail Sales & Director of IT

Marques Kidd

VP of Global Retail Sales & Director of IT

Marques Kidd has 20 years in retail sales, and management. His degree in information technology, allowed him to integrate information technology into retail operation. His innovation distinguished him, allowing Marques to manage multiple diverse retail teams. Marques’ wealth of knowledge expands across many key retail categories including but not limited to furniture, electronics, & health and wellness. Marcus has managed the IT services of Dr. Horton’s companies for 12 years.

Sarah Kidd

HR Manager

Sarah Kidd

HR Manager

Sarah Kidd, is Human Resources Manager, Recruiter and Office Manager for Blue Green Marketplace. She started with Picasso Pawn in 2013 as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and have successfully moved up in the company over the past nine years. Before she started with Picasso Pawn she worked as an Executive Assistant at a Manufacturing Company in Aurora, Ohio for over seven years. Sarah graduated from Cuyahoga Community College in 2007 with an Associates in Business. Her 15 plus years of experience working with top executives has taught her a lot and makes her a great asset to our team. She is mother of two beautiful children and a loving wife to her husband Marques. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children’s and her dog Biggie.

John Harris Esq.

In House Legal Council

John Harris Esq.

In House Legal Council

John M. Harris has nearly two decades of business experience from selling insurance, and doing financial planning, to starting micro businesses, planning residential communities, and agriculturally based homesteads. John brings expertise, insight, and a wealth of experience to a wide range of situations. For the last two years John, has served as General Counsel and COO for GUDPHORIA LLC, a company that helps the climate change crisis through the regenerative cultivation and application of the industrialization of the hemp plant. Through the GUDPHORIA experience, John has had an opportunity to learn about varied aspects of sustainable land management, secure supply chain development, water conservation, material science application, ground leasing, and some of the newest applications of the world of Blockchain and Smart Contracts.

Dr. Terence K. Leathers

Community and Church Advisor

Dr. Terence K. Leathers

Community and Church Advisor

Dr. Terence K. Leathers is a recognized leader who advocates and serves as a change agent for the Global community. From his work in Haiti, South Africa and Swaziland, Africa to the development, facilitation, and establishment of family /youth-oriented programs in the United States. Dr. Leathers served as Director of Turning Points Program for the District of Columbia and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Religious Affairs in Washington, DC. Currently he is pastor of the historic Mount Vernon Church, located in Clayton. He is chairperson of the Green Blue Community and Church Advisory Board.

Corey Branch

Community and Church Advisor

Corey Branch

Community and Church Advisor

Corey Branch provides a wide range of professional services. As a native of Raleigh, Corey has served the city of his birth in numerous ways since graduating and returning home from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While working at AT&T as a Senior Technical Director, Corey speaks out on behalf of the citizens of District C. He is particularly passionate about reliable bus service and adequate coverage in District C and works toward that goal as a member of the Raleigh Transit Authority. Corey Branch is currently the Mayor Pro Tem for the Raleigh City Council. He chairs the Council's Transportation and Transit Committee and serves on the Council's Economic Development and Innovation Committee.

Rev. Dr. Casandra Sparrow

Community and Church Advisor and Health and Wellness Advisor

Rev. Dr. Casandra Sparrow

Community and Church Advisor and Health and Wellness Advisor

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow has been engaged worldwide efforts to spread the gospel and promote health, wholeness, and economic development for 30 years. Called into ministry in1988, while studying in Taiwan, She is ordained in the AME Church. She was the head of public health for the 8 largest black denomination with more than 30,000 churches. She has a Master Degree in Public Health from John Hopkins University.

Dr. Maurice Werness, ND.

Health and Wellness Advisor

Dr. Maurice Werness, ND.

Health and Wellness Advisor

Dr. Maurice Werness ND. has spent the last 30 years facilitating the reversal and prevention of chronic disease using natural medicine. He served as a founding board member and past President of the Institute for Natural Medicine and co-authored four books on “The Natural Way of Healing.” published by Dell. He has spent many years studying the lifestyles of the worlds healthiest people and developing an expertise in longevity. He is the driver of the the public health initiative within the natural medicine community which specializes in reaching the undeserved. In addition to formulating natural medicines and developing wellness programs for executives and industry, he travels internationally for speaking engagements on the topic of the healing power of natural.

Thelma Horton

Health and Wellness Advisor

Thelma Horton

Health and Wellness Advisor

Thelma is a global strategist, international business consultant, Certified Professional life strategy coach and the founder and CEO of Zoweh Holdings LLC, a US based company, which provides strategic business development, professional coaching. and marketing consulting with a key focus in Sub-Sahara Africa. She has developed and presented programs for the World Bank Civic Society Forum and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women specific to women rights, food security, and sustainable economic models to empower women business owners. She is a Best-Selling Author (co-authored), “20 Beautiful Women: African Edition”, an inspirational speaker and is recognized as a leader by her peers. Thelma serves as a director in US based and Nigerian based corporations as well as leadership roles in non-profits and non-governmental organizations.

Sally Beare

Health and Wellness Advisor

Sally Beare

Health and Wellness Advisor

Sally Beare is a nutrition and longevity expert and the author of 50 Secrets of the World’s Longest-Living People which has been translated into ten languages and was featured in Oprah Winfrey’s O! Magazine as one of Yoko Ono’s seven top health books. Sally has travelled the world in her quest to discover the diet and lifestyle secrets of the world’s healthiest, longest-living people.

Dr. Terry Jackson

VP of Coaching & Organizational Development

Dr. Terry Jackson

VP of Coaching & Organizational Development

Global leadership professional and executive coach who provides high impact, results-based coaching for c-suite executives and teams, business unit leaders, and key high-potential managers. COO. Executive Coach who led a billion-dollar division of a firm. Terry was selected as one of the top coaches by Marshall Goldsmith in his 100 Coaches project. Terry has coached and consulted internationally. Terry is on the Forbes Coaches Council and was recently nominated to become a member of the Game Change Agency, an exclusive community of Thought Leaders and Senior Level Executives. In 2019 and 2021 Terry was named by Thinkers50 as a Top 50 Global Coach in Transformational Leadership. Named Top 10 Global Mentor in 2022.

Chris Ejimonyeugwo

Assistant Secretary & Director of Internal Legal Affairs

Chris Ejimonyeugwo

Assistant Secretary & Director of Internal Legal Affairs

Chris is an experienced professional in law, business and biological sciences. He is completing his final year of law school at Delaware Law and has a degree in biology from the University of Maryland. He is the current President of his law school’s Intellectual Property Society and a member of the nationally recognized Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyer’s Association. Chris focused his legal career on IP and corporate law, working for law firms in NY, PA, DE, NJ, and MD. Chris also founded and manages a record label in Philadelphia. He has conducted groundbreaking scientific research for Maryland’s Biology Research Department for initiatives funded by the National Science Foundation. Chris also provided healthcare services overseas in Nigeria and gained experience in real estate investments in the US.

Maya Horton

Senior Digital Media Marketing Manager

Maya Horton

Senior Digital Media Marketing Manager

Currently the Senior Digital Media Marketing Manager who has more than 10 years within the retail management field along with a masters in fashion merchandising and a bachelors in psychology. Within these achievements I also have obtained a certification for personal training where the focus is building muscle and targeting body fat. I pride myself in adapting to change, handling difficult situations and effective problem solving. Combining the logistics of retail and fitness has always been my passion while also adding in the fashion piece. My motto is if you look good, feel good internally then you are setting yourself up to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Chris Cullpepper

Lead Animator

Chris Cullpepper

Lead Animator

Chris Culpepper is a 3D Animator and Director based out of North Carolina, USA. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree in 3D Animation & Visual Effects from Academy of Art University as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Hampton University. Almost 20 years after completing undergrad, Chris decided to satisfy his thirst for animation by attending AAU and gaining invaluable knowledge to successfully step into the film industry. Shortly after obtaining his M.F.A. Chris had the pleasure of being one of a few animators on the short film “To The Letter” which won first prize in the CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge. The top prize was $10,000 which was awarded to the charity, School on Wheels, a Los Angeles based foundation that provides mentorship and tutelage to unhoused youth. Chris was credited as an Associate Producer on the film helping to complete the rendering process as well as designing the end credits.

Dr. Richard Harris

Health and Wellness Advisor

Dr. Richard Harris

Health and Wellness Advisor

DR. RICHARD HARRIS, MD, PharmD, MBA is a board-certified internal medicine physician and pharmacist. Dr. Harris attended the University of Texas at Austin for pharmacy school and then pursued medical education at the McGovern School of Medicine in Houston. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Harris continues to look for ways to grow both personally and professionally, which lead him to pursue and obtain his MBA at the University of Houston. Dr. Harris's client-centric view focuses on building relationships and trust through a comprehensive lifestyle medicine system. He currently hosts the Strive for Great Health Podcast, is the Chief Medical Officer for Nimbus Healthcare, and is the CEO of Harris Medical Consultants, LLC. Dr. Harris has been a subject matter expert and guest speaker at a number of national conferences and has served on advisory boards with some of the leading minds in medicine and holistic wellness.

Dr. Brian Garrett

Director of BioTechnology

Dr. Brian Garrett

Director of BioTechnology

Dr. Brian Garrett is a scientist and educator from Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned his BS in Chemistry from Morehouse College and his PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After completing his graduate education, Dr. Garrett began working for a Research Triangle Park medical device company as a Research and Development Consultant. He later worked as a Protein Analytical Chemist at Genentech in South San Francisco. There, he earned an Analytical Excellence Award for his work characterizing and quantifying antiviral compounds introduced during the drug development processfor pipeline therapeutics. Mostrecently, Dr. Garrett served as Regional Director of a STEM‐focused college preparatory program for high school students in the Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Boston areas.

Ariel Young

Director of Animation

Ariel Young

Director of Animation

Design amazing content, be very humble in the process. That's always been my motto. Over the course of 12+ years, I've been fortunate enough to do just that with big and small agencies alike—from founding Motion Media LLC and partnering with Hologruf connected to Fortune 500 brands, to independent, small box design shops working with startups. I've had the pleasure of leading global brands as Creative Director for various in-house agencies. In my years as a Creative Director I've spearheaded financial grossing and integrated advertising campaigns across emerging channels, TV, animation, print, digital and social as well as leading re-branding and design efforts for large-scale, corporate identity systems. In working closely with clients, I seek to develop partnerships to deliver strategic and emotionally-resonant creative work that also successfully achieves brand goals. I've worked with a wide range of delightful people along the way: T-mobile, Browns-Forman, JCDecaux, Formula 1, Silicon Valley Bank, Starbucks, IQUVIA, Ralph Lauren Polo, Blower Engineering, Duke University, Tesla Motors, Universal Studios Theme Park, Hyco-Montan Hydraulics and more.