Category: People

  • U.S. Cigar Association Hires New President

    U.S. Cigar Association Hires New President

    Photo: Olena

    The Cigar Association of America (CAA) has hired a new president.

    David Ozgo will be the new president of the CAA, marking the third change in leadership over 30 years. Ozgo was senior vice president of economic and strategic analysis at the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) for 20 years. Ozgo takes over from longtime CAA President Craig Williamson, who last year announced his retirement.

    “David has demonstrated the ability at DISCUS to develop data-driven solutions to industry issues, to successfully deliver the industry’s message in different forums and mediums, and to work constructively with various segments of an industry whose members vary greatly in size and product portfolio. These are precisely the skills CAA and the cigar industry need to navigate through current and upcoming regulatory and legislative challenges” said Javier Estades, chairman of the board of the CAA and president of Tabacalera USA, in a statement.

    Ozgo said he “couldn’t be more excited to work in such an outstanding industry, one with issues and opportunities similar to those in the distilled spirits industry and with such a strong association. I’m honored and humbled by the board’s confidence in me.”

    Estades also praised Williamson, saying “in almost two decades with CAA, the last 10 years as president, he has been a tireless advocate for the entire cigar industry. Many of our industry’s successes have resulted from his hard work; we are grateful for his dedication and wish him well in the future.”

    Ozgo will assume his position on Dec. 6.

  • Biden Picks Robert Califf to Lead FDA

    Biden Picks Robert Califf to Lead FDA

    Robert Califf

    U.S. President Joe Biden today announced that he would nominate Robert M. Califf, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, to lead the agency again, reports The New York Times.

    A cardiologist and long-time consultant to drug companies, Califf ran the FDA during the last year of the Obama administration

    “Dr. Califf is one of the most experienced clinical trialists in the country, and has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic,” Biden said in a statement.

    Califf has been a forceful advocate for tobacco control; before he was the FDA commissioner, he was the agency’s deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco. In an appearance with other former commissioners this year, he said, “I have never seen more capable or nastier lawyers than what I experienced in trying to deal with the tobacco industry. It was awesome and quite frightening for public health.”

    After stepping down as the vice chancellor for clinical and translational health at Duke University, Califf has worked as a senior adviser to Verily Life Sciences, a health technology firm, and its sister company Google Health. Califf, who remains an adjunct professor of medicine at both Duke and Stanford University, is on the corporate board of Cytokinetics, a biopharmaceutical company, according to its website.

    Califf said he was honored to be nominated for the position “at a critical time for our country,” adding, “There’s a lot of work to do, and if confirmed I look forward to rejoining the great team at the FDA to help in their inspiring mission to serve the public.”

    The FDA has had seven different commissioners, including Califf, since 2012, when Margaret Hamburg left the post.

  • ITC Veteran Rajiv Mohan Continues as Consultant

    ITC Veteran Rajiv Mohan Continues as Consultant

    D.V.R. Rajiv Mohan

    D.V.R. Rajiv Mohan of Indian Leaf Tobacco Exports ended his nearly 34 years of association with ITC, on mutual consent basis, on Nov. 1, 2021.

    In addition to working as an independent business consultant, Mohan intends to mentor agricultural startup firms, teach at business schools and farm, among other activities.

    During his career, Rajiv managed multiple assignments across the agricultural value chain, including operational, marketing and strategic functions. He was instrumental in taking ITC’s and India’s leaf tobacco exports to new heights during 2002-2012, establishing a footprint across all continents and customer segments.

    Subsequently, Mohan moved to agricultural commodities, overseeing the value chain for grains, cereals, plantation, horticulture and aquaculture. In his final assignment as vice president, Mohan oversaw value addition of a range of agricultural products.

    A vivid reader and active speaker, Mohan intends to travel, become an active blogger and continue his philanthropic activities.

    He can be reached at rajivmohan.dvr@gmail.com.

  • PMI Creates New Positions to Accelerate its Transformation

    PMI Creates New Positions to Accelerate its Transformation

    Photo: Vitezslav Vylicil

    Philip Morris International is establishing a category management structure for its smoke-free and combustible cigarettes businesses to accelerate the delivery of a smoke-free future. Stefano Volpetti, currently PMI’s chief consumer officer, has been appointed president smoke-free products category & chief consumer officer. Werner Barth, currently PMI’s senior vice president commercial, has been appointed president combustibles category & global combustibles marketing.

    “We are introducing a category management structure to further unlock and enhance PMI’s growth as the company accelerates toward a smoke-free future, ensuring that we remain focused, delivering on what matters, seamlessly—faster, with better quality, and improved cost,” said PMI CEO Jacek Olczak in a statement. “Stefano and Werner are leaders of exceptional caliber, and I have every confidence that they will succeed in their new roles, working closely together to achieve a smoke-free future.”

    “Establishing a global end-to-end category view will be fundamental in further driving our smoke-free products’ growth trajectory, fostering consumer centricity, and leveraging the strengths of our markets and regions as we work together to deliver on our smoke-free future ambitions,” said Volpetti.

    “The new structure will be paramount in achieving our financial and non-financial targets over the next several years, helping us maintain our competitive position in the cigarette market, which in turn best positions us to significantly accelerate our smoke-free journey,” added Barth.

    Establishing a global end-to-end category view will be fundamental in further driving our smoke-free products’ growth trajectory, fostering consumer centricity, and leveraging the strengths of our markets and regions as we work together to deliver on our smoke-free future ambitions.

    Stefano Volpetti

    Both leadership appointments will be effective Nov. 1, 2021. The new category management structure ensures greater end-to-end accountability from development to deployment, with the continued cooperation of relevant functions such as product, life sciences, operations, and IT. Volpetti and Barth will become the strategic owners of each category and will work with the regions and markets to achieve PMI’s business targets. PMI’s six regional presidents will continue to report to the CEO.

    Volpetti is a global leader with consumer expertise and a track record of transforming brands in complex business environments. Volpetti joined PMI in 2019 as chief consumer officer, driving consumer centricity through the function to deliver “fit-for-use” solutions for market deployment that cover the entire realm of the IQOS brand building, innovation, services, and omnichannel experience. Before joining PMI, Volpetti worked at Procter & Gamble for 22 years, where he progressed through various roles with increasing responsibility, including as a vice president and brand franchise leader for a global division with presence in more than 100 markets. He also worked at Luxottica Eyewear as chief marketing officer in 2015, gaining valuable exposure to retail operations.

    The new structure will be paramount in achieving our financial and non-financial targets over the next several years, helping us maintain our competitive position in the cigarette market, which in turn best positions us to significantly accelerate our smoke-free journey.

    Werner Barth

    Barth is a PMI stalwart with a deep knowledge of the business, recognized for his courageous leadership, strategic thinking and broad business expertise. As PMI’s senior vice president, commercial, a position he held since 2018, Barth built a strong downstream organization, instilling consumer centricity and ensuring seamless deployment of products and programs. Barth joined Philip Morris Germany in 1990 as a trainee, and since then has built his career through key assignments. He was appointed director marketing Spain in 2002 and then director sales Germany & Austria in 2004. In 2007, he was appointed managing director Benelux. He was promoted to managing director Germany & Austria in June 2011. In April 2015, Barth was appointed senior vice president marketing & sales.

    Since the launch of PMI’s first smoke-free product IQOS in 2014, the company has made significant progress in reinventing its operating model and expanding its organizational capabilities, while continuing to deliver strong business results. PMI’s smoke-free products are available in 70 markets as of Sept. 30, 2021, and generated approximately 29 percent of the company’s total net revenues in the third quarter. By 2025, PMI aspires to have its smoke-free products available for sale in 100 markets as of year-end and to generate more than half of its total net revenues for the full year.

  • Biden Eyes Robert Califf as FDA Head

    Biden Eyes Robert Califf as FDA Head

    Robert Califf

    U.S. President Joe Biden is likely to nominate Food and Drug Administration veteran Robert Califf to lead the agency, reports The Washington Post. A cardiologist who teaches at the Duke University School of Medicine, Califf was the FDA’s deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco before leading it from February 2016 to January 2017.

    The FDA has been without a permanent chief since President Biden took office. Its acting commissioner, Janet Woodcock, is nearing the end of the term that acting officials are allowed to serve.

    While some praised Califf as a strong and experienced candidate, others criticized his ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

    “Rob Califf would be a strong, experienced and effective commissioner,” former FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan was quoted as saying by Politico.

    “The country desperately needs an FDA leader who will reverse the decades-long trend in which the agency’s relationship with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries has grown dangerously cozier—resulting in regulatory capture of the agency by industry,” countered Michael Carome, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group. “Califf would not be that leader.”

  • Estades Re-Elected as Cigar Association Chair

    Estades Re-Elected as Cigar Association Chair

    Javier Estades (Photo: Tabacalera USA)

    Javier Estades, president and CEO of Tabacalera USA, has been reelected as chairman of the Cigar Association of America (CAA) for a three-year term. Estades previously served as chairman from 2016 to 2020.

    “Javier Estades has always just been one of those people who gets it,” said CAA President Craig Williamson in a statement. “When he stepped down as chairman, I said that we would miss his leadership, affable demeanor and steady hand, and now I am thrilled to welcome Javier back as our chairman once again.

    “Challenges remain ahead for our industry, but with Javier’s leadership and our continued commitment to speaking as one voice for the cigar and pipe tobacco industry, I know we will navigate the days, months and years ahead successfully.”

    “It was an honor to serve as chairman of CAA, and I am excited to once again join my partners in industry to lead this century-old association,” said Estades. “We continue to face a perfect storm of regulatory intervention, increasing tax burdens and evolving industry trends. We will have to join together to preserve our industry for future generations.”

  • Iro Schunke Reelected President SindiTabaco

    Iro Schunke Reelected President SindiTabaco

    Iro Schunke (Photo: Taco Tuinstra)

    Iro Schunke has been reelected as the president of Brazil’s Interstate Tobacco Industry Union, SindiTabaco. The election took place in early September at the organization’s head office in Santa Cruz do Sul.

    Schunke, who has presided over SindiTabaco since 2006, intends to continue the organization’s work in defense of the tobacco supply chain during his upcoming tenure. “We consider all matters of common interest to our associate members, with an eye on strengthening the supply chain as a whole,” said Schunke in a statement. “Our major goals are the regulatory matters, social and environmental responsibility and visibility of the sector.”

    Within this context, SindiTabaco has been keeping a close watch on all matters relating to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention for Tobacco Control and pioneered programs in the social and environmental areas. Among other initiatives, the organization has initiated programs to combat deforestation and collect empty pesticide containers. Meanwhile, the Growing Up Right Institute has worked diligently to eradicate child labor.

    Furthermore, SindiTabaco encourages rural diversification through such initiatives as the corn, bean and pastureland after tobacco harvest program. “Our work is totally transparent, as this is the model that we are trying to strengthen,” said Schunke. We will continue guiding our activities in areas that impact upon the life of those who earn a livelihood from this agribusiness segment.”

    Besides Schunke, the board of directors is composed of the following members: Edenir Gassen, secretariat vice president; Flavio Marques Goulart, finance vice president; Valmor Thesing, industrial affairs vice president; Roberto Naue, fiscal affairs vice president; Paulo Cezar Favero, tobacco production and quality vice president; and Guatimozin de Oliveira Santos Filho, vice president of environmental management and social responsibility.

    The new board of directors will take office on Oct. 22.

  • John Miller Retires as President/CEO Swisher

    John Miller Retires as President/CEO Swisher

    John Miller (Photo: Swisher)
    Neil Kiely

    Swisher has announced the retirement of John Miller from his position as chief executive officer and president of Swisher. Neil Kiely, a member of the board of directors, has assumed the role of president of Swisher.

    “On behalf of the board of directors and Swisher’s employees, I would like to thank John for the work he has done for the company and our customers for the past nine years and wish him the best going forward,” said William Ziegler, chairman of Swisher’s board of directors.

    “As we look to the future, we have high confidence that Neil’s experience with companywide transformation will help Swisher accelerate its growth under his leadership.”

    Kiely most recently served as the chief executive officer and vice chairperson of the board of directors for Birra Peroni and was previously chief transformation officer at MillerCoors.

  • Aaron Gwinner Named CIO of the Year

    Aaron Gwinner Named CIO of the Year

    Aaron Gwinner

    Aaron Gwinner, senior vice president of digital business solutions and the chief information officer (CIO) for the Reynolds American Inc. group of companies, was selected as the winner of the CharlotteCIO of the Year ORBIE Award within the Large Enterprise category.

    The ORBIE Awards, presented by CharlotteCIO, recognize chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in innovation, technology leadership, business value creation and community involvement.

    “Aaron continues to consistently provide exceptional leadership and outcomes that are accelerating the digital transformation of our business,” said Guy Meldrum, CEO at Reynolds, in a statement. “All of us at Reynolds congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement.”

    “I am honored to be chosen as a CharlotteCIO of the Year and grateful for the team that has made this achievement possible,” Gwinner said. “The acceleration of our digital transformation and ability to leverage technology to drive our business is a direct reflection of the amazing people in our teams and the support of our executive leadership. Thank you, CharlotteCIO, for this incredible recognition.”

    Gwinner was recognized among 23 finalists representing leading technology professionals in the Charlotte, North Carolina, region. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-review process led by prior award recipients.

  • Ceylon Tobacco Names Finance Director

    Ceylon Tobacco Names Finance Director

    Photo: Negro Elkha

    Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) has appointed Syed Muhammad Ali Abrar to the position of finance director, reports The Daily Mirror of Colombo. 

    Ali joined BAT Pakistan in 2005 and has held leadership functions for the company in South Asia, the South Pacific, the Middle East and BAT’s global business services hub in Malaysia. He has experience in corporate finance, commercial finance and supply chain finance. 

    Ali holds a bachelor’s degree from the National University of Science and Technology, Pakistan, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Institute of Business Administration, Pakistan. 

    He will report to managing director/CEO Nedal Salem,

    Earlier this year, CTC appointed Suresh Kumar Shah as its chairman.