Wrigley chewing gum heir is new CEO of medical marijuana firm Surterra

Be at the forefront of cannabis and psychedelics science and innovation. Register by March 14 & Save $100 on tickets to The Emerald Conference by MJBiz Science, April 1-3 in San Diego.


Chewing gum billionaire William “Beau” Wrigley Jr. has been appointed CEO of medical marijuana company Surterra Wellness, a little more than two months after leading a $65 million funding round for the firm.

Atlanta-based Surterra operates medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation facilities in Florida as well as CBD dispensaries and grow operations in Texas.

Wrigley is taking over the top job from Jake Bergmann, who stepped down Nov. 5, according to a news release.

At the time of the $65 million raise, Surterra announced that Wrigley would join the company’s board as chair.

An heir and former CEO of The Wrigley Co. chewing gum giant, Wrigley amassed his fortune, in part, by selling the family business to Mars in 2008 in a $23 billion cash deal.

Earlier this month, Surterra raised nearly $55 million as part of a funding round that ultimately aims to drum up $165.5 million.

In September, popular singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett – known for his hit “Margaritaville” and his Parrothead fans – struck a deal to license his Coral Reefer brand to Surterra for a line of MJ products that includes edibles, vape pens and gel caps.