OUR ROOTS
NATHAN RICHTER, FOUNDER & CEO
Nathan Richter began his career in 1998 as a geneticist for the University of Oklahoma. He joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard his senior year of college and deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 during which time his unit supported the Afghan army in fighting the Taliban and other terrorist organizations in the global war on terrorism. He attained the rank of Captain and received the Joint Forces Commendation Medal and other awards during his career as a soldier.
Upon his return to the U.S., like thousands of fellow soldiers, Richter suffered from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “After my deployment, I found myself struggling with night terrors and insomnia. Like so many others, I attempted to cope through alcohol or exercise,” recalls Richter. “If I drank enough, I fell asleep without the night terrors. If I worked out enough, I was physically exhausted but not mentally exhausted enough to fall asleep. The years of trying to cope with my sleep issues ultimately led to a violent incident with my brother. He is fine, but this incident led me to try cannabis for the first time.
The results were positive, immediate, and incredibly impactful. As soon as I began sleeping better, my use of alcohol to sleep decreased and eventually disappeared. My performance, both at work and in my workouts, improved, my relationships improved, my perception of life improved, and my life in general improved.”
Using cannabis for PTSD was a difficult decision for Richter. “By the time I began using cannabis, I had graduated from law school and was a practicing trial lawyer.
As a traditional, rule-following, goody-two-shoes (so to speak) cannabis was the last thing I would have thought I would find myself using,” said Richter. “Following my own journey and finding great benefit from responsible cannabis consumption as a medicine, I felt compelled to help other people change their lives for the better. So, we started Nature’s Key, a company designed to help individuals find their therapeutic dose to maximize the quality of their life without the need to rely on other, less natural, medications.”
Nature’s Key is now poised to lead the medical cannabis industry not just in Oklahoma but on a national scale. “Nature’s Key is solely focused on medical cannabis. We are research-based and physician-informed. I look back on the past 20 years of my life from my first position as a geneticist to my time in the military and beyond, and it has all led to this. Now, I am committed to bringing our products to those who are searching for relief.”
Richter has a passion for service and volunteer work. He provides pro bono legal services to Oklahoma’s indigent population at OKC’s City Rescue Mission through the Trinity Legal Clinic. Nathan is the former President and current board member of Youth & Family Services, a youth shelter in El Reno, OK. Additionally, Nathan volunteers with the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Lawyers for Heroes program serving our veterans.
Nathan D. Richter was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is a graduate of Mustang High School, the University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is a member of numerous professional organizations.
In his spare time, Nathan spends time with his family, golfing, and hunting. Nathan is married to Kristin, and they have two children, Harrison and Kailyn.
Joe Hager, Co-Founder
Joe Hager is Co-Founder of Nature’s Key Edibles and champions their “Budtender University” and Customer Relations.
Joe spent a decade of his professional career as a theater artist, entertaining hundreds of thousands in performances of leading roles with national and international tours, as well as a season aboard the Norwegian Breakaway.
Intense training for his rigorous roles and 4 years with his high school’s USA Today ranked #5 football team in the nation left Joe in chronic pain from herniated 5 discs.
He credits a combination of cannabis and Bikram yoga with saving his life.
His interest in cannabis coupled with his desire to help people in the same situation he found himself in led him into the field of cannabis. Connections and networking with some of the leading experts, innovators, and medical professionals left Joe ready to make the shift fully into his role at Nature’s Key Edibles.
A champion of the “the roadmap to wellness” Joe is interested in cannabis research, innovation, and development. In his role with Nature’s Key, it’s Joe’s goal to educate the canna-curious Nature’s Key’s specific formulations build a microdose at a time, making it the perfect product for a first time patient.
Originally from Kansas City, Joe degree in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University, and a Masters in Opera Performance from the University of Kansas. He and his fiancé are proud to call Oklahoma City home.