Our Team
Get to know the leadership team at Steep Hill Illinois
Ben McCauley
As the Lab Director at Steep Hill IL, I'm looking forward to helping create an atmosphere of openness and scientific excellence. I come from a diverse background in chemistry, including industrial gases analysis, pharmaceutical peptide production, drug delivery research, and bioanalysis work in a blood lab. I spent the last six years in NYC, working primarily on drug repurposing efforts and managing clinical trials in immunology with a focus on psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. I am deeply interested in mental health and the prospect of getting cannabis recognized as part of a personalized healthcare treatment regimen. In this way, I'm looking to bring the same amount of scientific integrity and thoroughness expected of healthcare to the cannabis industry. A bit about me when I'm off the clock: I'm an avid motorcycle enthusiast and love to cook.
Kaiti Bullington
As the Scientific Director of Steep Hill IL, I am primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing the compliance of state regulations, as well as verifying the accuracy of test methods and certificates of analysis. It is my duty to set goals and objectives, hire scientists and other experts, establish guidelines, liaise with regulators and key personnel, and develop strategies to optimize laboratory procedures. I am well rounded in the Quality department, having previously worked as a compliance auditor, research and new product development scientist, microbiologist, and was the lead analytical chemist for one of the largest MSO cannabis cultivators. I graduated with a BS, MS as valedictorian, and have started coursework on two Ph.D. programs- I hope to use my real world experience and science based education to help forward the cannabis movement as part of a regulated mental health treatment regimen. Outside of the lab, I spend my time hiking nature trails, horseback riding, and listening to informative audiobooks.
John Tinsley
Bolstered by 25 years of experience in strategy, M&A, and operations consulting, I’m looking forward to bringing Steep Hill to the forefront of Illinois’ cannabis industry. I have a broad background across industries, including Chemicals, Diversified Industrials, Technology, Lifesciences, Consumer Packaged Goods, and others. Throughout my career, I have advised large corporates to SMBs and worked with large and middle-market private equity funds on growth and strategy. Before launching Steep Hill in Illinois, I was a Partner with EY-Parthenon practice in Tokyo and the US and have spent a large portion of my career living and working throughout Asia. My transition into the U.S. cannabis market stems from my passions rooted in social equity, consumer safety, and supporting those suffering with mental health.
Shannon Loureiro
I am Shannon Loureiro, a Lead Laboratory Analyst at Steep Hill, Illinois. With over two decades of experience in the science field, I specialize in heavy metals and have previously worked as a Microbiologist for the FDA and as a Quality Control Chemist in the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. I am committed to providing innovative solutions to the cannabis industry while upholding the highest standards of honesty and integrity in my scientific work. I graduated with a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry in 2007 and hold an undergraduate degree in Analytical Chemistry and Quantitative Mechanical Science. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family.
Connor Chapdelaine
Hi, I'm Connor Chapdelaine and I hold the reins of Steep Hill Illinois' microbiological analyses. After graduating in 2019 with my B.S. in Environmental Biology at Arkansas State University I found my way at Steep Hill Arkansas, the first analytical testing lab for cannabis in Arkansas. The rest is history. Over the next four years, when I wasn't thru-hiking the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail, I was in the micro lab developing techniques and optimizing procedures. I'm excited to help integrate these same methods and techniques mastered on Arkansas' lab bench into the biosafety cabinet here in Illinois. When I'm not in the lab I like to spend my time running ultramarathons and road-tripping with friends.