# John Manlove

> John Manlove is the Portland-based co-founder and CEO of Apex Trading, a wholesale cannabis software company created in 2018 after the collapse of his former employer, Tradiv. Beginning with little more than Manlove's client relationships, a phone and a shared Google document, Apex developed into an order, inventory and customer-management platform that now says it operates in 30 states and Puerto Rico. His operating philosophy combines close observation of customers, disciplined focus on wholesale workflows and a stated 'Plant First' commitment to the industry.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Apex Trading
- **Organizations:** Apex Trading, Bushel44, Tradiv, WasteXpress Environmental, Drury University
- **Education:** Double major in Environmental Studies and Business Management; minor in Global Studies, Drury University
- **Known for:** Helped launch Tradiv, described in interviews as one of the first legal cannabis wholesale marketplaces in the United States., Co-founded Apex Trading in 2018 after Tradiv's closure and moved from a phone-and-spreadsheet operation to a multi-state software platform., Reported selling more than $10 million in cannabis product while at Tradiv.

## Career timeline

- **2008-2011** — Worked as a legal runner at Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown.
- **2010** — Worked as a legal assistant at the Stone County Prosecutor's Office.
- **2011-2015** — Served as a regional account manager at WasteXpress Environmental, working on client support, compliance consulting and remediation projects.
- **2014** — Joined Tradiv as its first employee and entered the legal cannabis industry.
- **2015-2016** — Served as Tradiv's director of client engagement.
- **2016-2017** — Served as Tradiv's COO and director of sales; he later said he sold more than $10 million of cannabis product there.
- **2018** — Co-founded Apex Trading with Rob Fess and Willy Wheeler after Tradiv closed.
- **2019** — Co-founded Bushel44, a wholesale hemp software platform.
- **2025** — Discussed Apex's expansion to 28 states and Puerto Rico on Greenway Audio Magazine.
- **2026** — Apex reported operating in 30 states and Puerto Rico while expanding API, spreadsheet ordering and finance-related integrations.

## Achievements

- Helped launch Tradiv, described in interviews as one of the first legal cannabis wholesale marketplaces in the United States.
- Co-founded Apex Trading in 2018 after Tradiv's closure and moved from a phone-and-spreadsheet operation to a multi-state software platform.
- Reported selling more than $10 million in cannabis product while at Tradiv.
- Helped build Apex to serve 30 states and Puerto Rico, according to the company's 2026 LinkedIn updates.
- Co-founded the hemp supply-chain software company Bushel44 in 2019.
- At Drury University, helped start a zero-waste initiative at the O'Reilly Family Event Center by introducing compostable serviceware and separated waste stations.
- Apex Trading and its co-defendants received a directed verdict on all counts in a 2026 fraudulent-transfer trial in which the plaintiff sought more than $20 million.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Apex said it operates in 30 states and Puerto Rico and reported that buyer-created orders average above 70 percent across its top 10 states.
- **2026-08** — Manlove highlighted expanded API access and integrations intended to connect brands and retailers with purchasing and inventory tools.
- **2026-08** — Apex promoted integrated Google Sheets and Excel menu and order-import features designed around how multi-store buyers already work.
- **2026-05** — A Colorado trial judge granted Apex Trading, Manlove and their co-defendants a directed verdict on all counts in Buffo v. Apex Trading et al.
- **2025-08** — On Greenway Audio Magazine, Manlove discussed Apex's presence in 28 states and Puerto Rico, small-team scaling and the company's continued focus on wholesale.

## Links

- Website: https://apextrading.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-manlove-2173002a

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-manlove
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26