Category: People

Darrell Thomas Joins BAT Board

Darrell Thomas (Photo: BAT)
Darrell Thomas will join the board of British American Tobacco (BAT) as an independent nonexecutive director and member of the Audit and Nominations Committees, effective Dec. 7, 2020, the company announced in a statement.
Thomas brings financial, regulatory and U.S. experience to the BAT board gained during his extensive career. Thomas is currently vice president and treasurer for Harley-Davidson., having previously held several senior finance positions including interim chief financial officer for Harley-Davidson., vice president and chief financial officer for Harley-Davidson Financial Services., and vice president and assistant treasurer for PepsiCo.
Prior to joining PepsiCo, Thomas had a 19-year career in banking with Commerzbank Securities, Swiss Re New Markets, ABN Amro Bank and Citicorp/Citibank where he held various capital markets and corporate finance roles.

December 7, 2020
Leadership Change at BAT Kenya

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Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo will resign as managing director of British American Tobacco Kenya effective Dec. 31, following the end of her assignment.
“The board would like to thank Beverly for her significant contribution to BAT Kenya,” the company said in a statement. “Over the past four years, Spencer-Obatoyinbo has transformed the business from a portfolio, value and people perspective. She leaves a legacy of energizing and inclusive leadership and has collaborated extensively with external stakeholders, putting BAT Kenya on the manufacturing and top employer map.”
Spencer-Obatoyinbo will be succeeded by Crispin Achola. Most recently, Achola worked for Kimberly-Clark Corp., where he held the position of general manager, West, East and Central Africa, and managing director Nigeria.
Achola worked for BAT from 1999 to 2017, during which he held various senior roles within BAT Kenya and the group, including managing director Mozambique, cluster general manager – Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi, and managing director Sudan.

December 7, 2020
Johnson Nonexecutive Director at Imperial

Photo: Jakub Jirsák | Dreamstime
Imperial Brands has appointed Alan Johnson to the board as a nonexecutive director with effect from Jan. 1, 2021.
Johnson has a financial background in consumer goods and retail, having held a number of senior finance positions at Unilever during a 30-year career, including chief audit executive and chief financial officer of the Global Foods Division.
He was previously chief financial officer and then a nonexecutive director at food retailer Jeronimo Martins until April 2016. Johnson is currently president and chair of the board of the International Federation of Accountants and a member of the board and chair of the audit committee of the International Valuation Standards Council.
Johnson will also join Imperial Brands’ Succession and Nominations Committee and Audit Committee with effect from Jan. 1, 2021.
December 2, 2020
In Memoriam: William Maksymowicz

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Tobacco agronomist William “Bill Maks” Maksymowicz of White House, Tennessee, USA, died Nov. 27, 2020.
Born Jan. 15, 1949, in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, Maksymowicz earned a bachelor of science degree in agronomy from Clemson University in 1971, a masters of science degree in agronomy from the University of Kentucky in 1973, and a PhD in plant physiology from Clemson University in 1988.
Following completion of his PhD, he served on the faculty of the University of Kentucky for 13 years. He then joined the Vector Corp., where he worked for five years before joining Burley Stabilization Corp. where he worked until his death.
He is survived by his wife, Melinda Maksymowicz; son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Catharine Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Alice Maksymowicz; and grandchildren, William and Richard Johnson.
December 1, 2020
Estades steps down as Cigar Association Chair
Javier Estades
Javier Estades has stepped down as chairman of the Cigar Association of America (CAA). Elected in 2016, Estades, who is also CEO of Tabacalera USA, is the organization’s longest-serving chairman. He will be succeeded by John Miller.
At the CAA annual meeting Friday, Estades was lauded for his leadership and commitment to the cigar industry. “There are some people in life who just get it. We call them naturals, and for naturals, it just clicks—the long days, hard work and often tiring tasks comes easily,” said Craig Williamson, president of the CAA, which is based in Washington, D.C.
“Javier’s caring personality, willingness to serve others and deep understanding of our industry all contributed to his success as chairman,” Williamson added. “Javier served as our chairman during a rough and tumble time for our industry, while simultaneously running one of the most successful premium cigar companies in the world. His affable demeanor and steady hand have been critical to our continued efforts. As his time as chairman comes to a close, we owe him a great deal of gratitude.”
In his final remarks as chairman, Estades pointed to several hard-earned victories and accomplishments over the past half-decade for the cigar industry by CAA. “During my tenure, we faced a perfect storm of unprecedented regulatory intervention by the FDA, increases in taxes at state and federal level, a divided industry, the Covid-19 pandemic and more. Despite it all, here we are—alive and kicking and very proud of what we have accomplished.”
In recent years, CAA expanded and diversified by creating leadership roles for industry partners in the mail order, distributor and importer segments, among other initiatives.
Estades also pointed to a big win in the high court in Illinois and other litigation as a result of coalition building among like-minded trade associations as well as a strong state government relations program.
CAA wins at the federal level included having health warnings thrown out, having product testing put off and eliminating the recent “substantial equivalence” deadline for premium cigars. “We still have challenges ahead, and CAA stands ready to continue fighting against improper, overreaching efforts by FDA,” Estades said.
November 9, 2020
Ellen Strahlman Joins Altria Board

Photo: Jakub Jirsák | Dreamstime
Ellen R. Strahlman will join the Altria Group board of directors Nov. 2, 2020, the company announced in a press release.
Strahlman served as executive vice president, research & development and chief medical officer of Becton, Dickinson and Co., a leading global medical technology company, from April 2013 until her retirement in January 2018.
Before joining Becton Dickinson and Co., she served as a senior advisor to the CEO at GlaxoSmithKline from April 2012 through March 2013, after previously serving as the senior vice president and chief medical officer from April 2008 through March 2012.
Prior to 2008, Strahlman held senior executive leadership roles in global product development and commercialization, medical affairs and business development at leading pharmaceutical and medical technology companies including Pfizer, Novartis, Virogen, Bausch & Lomb and Merck & Co. She currently serves as a director of Syncona having previously served as a director of Syncona Partners.
At Altria Group, Strahlman will be a member of the finance and innovation committees.
November 1, 2020
UKVIA Appoints Dunne as General Director

John Dunne (Photo: UKVIA)
John Dunne has been confirmed as director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) after a vote by the trade body’s full membership.
Dunne was previously responsible for the UKVIA’s member recruitment activity, where he oversaw significant growth in membership levels. He is also the UKVIA’s primary media spokesperson on television, radio and in print.
Dunne has a long and well-respected background in European vaping and has held senior positions at some of the sector’s leading firms. In addition, he has advised industry analysts and financial institutions on the vaping industry, both in the U.K. and globally.
The new role has been established to support future planned growth of the UKVIA, as it extends its role and influence, while building its membership base significantly.
“I am honored that the UKVIA membership has put its faith in me.,” said Dunne. “The association is well placed to go from strength to strength, with membership growing consistently despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“The next 12 months are hugely important to the vaping industry, with the government review of the Tobacco & Related Products Regulations set to shape the future of our sector. It is crucial that we have a unified voice to influence these regulations, for the benefit of the industry and the public health of the nation. We have already started formulating our contribution to the government’s review, working closely with all our members.”
October 19, 2020
Kit Dietz Joins Taat Board of Advisers

Kit Dietz (Photo: Taat Lifestyle & Wellness)
Taat Lifestyle & Wellness has appointed Kit Dietz to its board of advisors.
Dietz has more than three decades of experience in the convenience wholesale industry, including top management roles with well-known convenience channel distributors in the northern United States. Dietz also served on the board of directors of Lorillard, leading up to its $27.4 billion acquisition in June 2015.
More recently, Dietz became President of InfoRhythm, a business data analytics firm for retail and wholesale businesses and their respective supply chains providing prescriptive data-driven insights to CPG companies, convenience distributors, and retailers.
Based out of northern Ohio, Dietz presently advises CPG companies and top management of distribution firms using his extensive knowledge of the convenience channel at a granular level.
“We are excited for Kit Dietz to join Taat as an advisor, just in time for our mid-Q4 2020 launch in Ohio,” said Taat CEO Setti Coscarella in a statement.
“With an advisor such as Mr. Dietz who understands how convenience products such as tobacco are distributed in and near our launch market, I am confident that we will be able to benefit from his market-specific experience to establish the right margins, the right partnerships, and the right analytics models to make calculated and informed business decisions as we contemplate possible expansions into new markets.”
October 16, 2020
BAT Appoints New Chairman

Photo: BAT
Luc Jobin will succeed Richard Burrows as chairman of British American Tobacco (BAT). This will take effect from the conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) on April 28, 2021. In order to ensure an effective transition of the leadership of the board, Jobin will be appointed chairman designate of BAT effective March 1, 2021.
Jobin is currently an independent director on the boards of Gildan Activewear and Hydro-Quebec. He joined the BAT board in 2017 as an independent nonexecutive director. During his executive career, he was president and CEO of Canadian National Railway Co., prior to which he was executive vice president and chief financial officer. Previously, Jobin was executive vice president of Power Corp. of Canada and held the roles of chief financial officer and, between 2003 and 2005, CEO of Imperial Tobacco Canada.
Richard Burrows
Burrows will step down as chairman and retire from the board at the end of the company’s 2021 AGM.
“I am delighted that the board has appointed Luc as the incoming chairman for BAT,” said Burrows in a statement. “Luc brings with him significant financial, regulatory and M&A experience. He has been an outstanding nonexecutive director over the last three years, providing consistent support, insight and constructive challenge through the development of strategy. I am sure that BAT will go from strength to strength with Luc as chairman and Jack Bowles as chief executive officer.”
October 15, 2020
Pyxus Appoints New Board Members

Pyxus International has appointed Robert George, Carl Hausmann, Cynthia Moehring and Richard Topping to its board of directors effective Oct. 12, 2020. These individuals join previously announced board members Holly Kim, Patrick Fallonand Pieter Sikkel.
“The addition of the new members to Pyxus’ board of directors is a key milestone in its transformation strategy,” said Sikkel, who also serves as president and CEO of Pyxus, in a statement. “We believe this mix of directors brings proven financial and operational track records and diverse perspectives that will contribute to Pyxus’ future success, and we look forward to working with this group of proven leaders to accelerate the company’s growth.”
George brings extensive financial and operational experience in public, private and private equity-backed diversified industrial businesses. Most recently, he served as executive vice president, chief financial officer and corporate development for Esterline Technologies. Prior to joining Esterline, George held various leadership positions with Zurn Industries and Elgin Electronics. He is a member of the board of directors of Advanced Integration Technology.
Hausmann brings more than 35 years of experience in the agribusiness and food industries. He retired in June 2012 as managing director of global government and corporate affairs of Bunge Limited, having spent a decade serving in executive roles with Bunge affiliates in North America and Europe. Prior to joining Bunge, Hausmann served as chair and CEO of Cereol and held various leadership positions with Continental Grain Co. in Europe, South America, Africa and the United States. Following his retirement from Bunge, Hausmann served as a member of the board of directors of Pyxus International’s predecessor, Alliance One International, from June 2013 to August 2018.
Moehring is the founder and executive chair of the Business Integrity Leadership Initiative at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. She brings more than 25 years of experience as a strategic senior executive, including 20 years at Walmart where she served as senior vice president, U.S. chief ethics and compliance officer and senior vice president, global chief ethics officer, among other leadership positions. She has broad experience in many areas, including enterprise risk management, effective global governance practices, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, diversity and inclusion and sustainability.
Topping has four decades of experience in the tobacco industry. He has held a variety of global leadership positions throughout the supply chain, working with both tobacco leaf merchants and cigarette manufacturers. He most recently worked with Japan Tobacco International and its predecessor companies and served as vice president of global leaf sourcing prior to retiring in June 2018. Topping has wide-ranging global expertise, from both the merchant and cigarette manufacturer perspective, in leaf sourcing and procurement strategies, logistics, operations and sales throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
October 14, 2020