Kovler, 39, lives in Chicago with his wife Amy and their two children, according to his biography on the company website. He praised Kadens in a statement sent by spokeswoman Linda Marsicano.

“Identifying and cultivating the top talent needed to build outstanding teams that can propel organizations to their next level of success has always been one of Pete’s biggest strengths,” Kovler said.

“Since the beginning, Pete and I have had a shared vision for GTI, and he played a key role making that vision a reality by building the outstanding team that makes GTI the world class company it is today. Pete now plans to step back from his day-to-day responsibilities as CEO to concentrate on his true passion–philanthropy and social justice for the communities that have been impacted by the war on drugs,” he said.

The company formerly known in Holyoke as GTI Massachusetts NP Corp. opened an $8 millioin medical marijuana facility at 28 Appleton St. in April.

At a meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the company will ask the Holyoke City Council Ordinance Committee to amend its special permit and allow for the growing of marijuana that would be sold at a recreational marijuana facility. The marijuana for recreational use would be grown at 28 Appleton St. but sold at dispensaries at other locations, officials said.