Hentschke succeeds Brewer as senior VP and COO at Universal

Universal Corp.’s board of directors has elected Airton L. Hentschke as senior vice president and chief operating officer, replacing W. Keith Brewer, who recently retired as executive vice president and COO.

Hentschke has more than 24 years of experience in leaf operations with Universal, and has served since 2013 as executive vice president of Universal Leaf Tobacco Co. In this role, he supported Universal’s global tobacco operations. Prior to that, Hentschke served as regional director for the company’s operations in South America, and president of Universal Leaf Tabacos Limitada in Brazil, where he began his employment in 1991.

Brewer worked at Universal for more than 38 years and led the company’s global tobacco operations since 2006. Prior to that time, he served as the president of Universal Leaf North America U.S. He has been employed with the company since 1977.

“We thank Keith for his countless contributions and his many years of loyal, dedicated service,” said George C. Freeman, III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Universal Corp.

“He leaves behind a strong and well-prepared team that includes Airton Hentschke. Airton brings a wealth of operational expertise to this role, and we are pleased that he will continue the strong leadership that he has demonstrated in South America and more recently here in Richmond, as the next Chief Operating Officer.”