Category: People

Rachael Trimpert Schmidt Joins Chemular

Rachael Trimpert Schmidt (Photo: Chemular)
Chemular has appointed Rachael Trimpert Schmidt as a senior consultant.
Schmidt joins Chemular from her recent position with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as assistant director of laboratory compliance and coordination of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) where she was responsible for establishing and coordinating all FDA tobacco regulatory laboratories in support of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
At the CTP, Smith was responsible for developing and executing all tobacco product testing programs, including premarket application review, postmarket compliance and adverse events. In her more than 12 years at the agency, Schmidt engaged with both national and international partners to harmonize tobacco enforcement.
Most recently, Schmidt has worked extensively as the lead regulatory science expert for the development of tobacco product standards.
“Schmidt brings a wealth of knowledge to our team,” says Jason Carignan, chief commercial officer of Chemular, in a statement. “She’s been deeply involved with developing and implementing regulations within the tobacco industry for many years and has a sharpened ability to identify and address emerging issues. This firsthand experience will ensure that Chemular stays at the forefront of compliance initiatives and that our customers can launch and keep their products on the market. She is going to be a valuable asset to Chemular and supporting our customers through her insights and action.”
“I am excited to join the Chemular team,” says Schmidt. “I’ve spent a large part of my career immersed in the tobacco industry, identifying issues and opportunities while shaping its policies through my work with the FDA and the Center for Tobacco Products. I look forward to taking an active role with Chemular and helping its customers pave a smooth path to compliance.”
March 25, 2024
Pension Fund Supports KT&G CEO Nominee
South Korea’s National Pension Fund (NPF) will vote in favor of KT&G’s CEO nominee Bang Kyung-man at the cigarette manufacturer’s upcoming shareholder meeting, reports the Yonhap News Agency.
The NPF will also vote for former Judge Sohn Dong-hwan as a new KT&G board member.
The NPF holds a 6.2 percent stake in KT&G.
The Industrial Bank of Korea, which is state-run and holds an 8 percent stake in KT&G, has opposed Bang’s nomination, citing falling profitability and dubious business practices during his board tenure. Sohn is a director candidate proposed by the Industrial Bank of Korea.
March 25, 2024
Top KT&G Shareholder Opposes CEO Nominee

Photo: zzzdim
KT&G’s biggest shareholder is opposing the nomination of Bang Kyung-man as the cigarette manufacturer’s new CEO, reports Yonhap News. The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), which owns about 8 percent of KT&G, cited falling profitability and dubious business practices during the nominee’s tenure as a board member.
On Feb. 22, KT&G’s CEO candidate recommendation committee selected Kyung-man Bang, senior executive vice president of KT&G, as the final CEO candidate, citing his performance on criteria such as management expertise, global acumen, strategic thinking skills, stakeholder communications and universal morality and ethical awareness.
KT&G shareholders are due to vote on the nomination during the company’s annual general meeting on March 28. The appointment would mark KT&G’s first leadership change in nine years.
IBK opposes Bang’s nomination because “KT&G’s operating profit has fallen more than 20 percent” since he was appointed as vice president of the cigarette maker, an IBK official was quoted as saying.
“Given a decision to secure friendly shares using its own stocks, the independence and fairness of the current board of directors are bound to be seriously questioned,” the official said.
In a regulatory filing dated March 12, IBK also made a shareholder proposal to improve KT&G’s governance by strengthening the expertise and independence of the board of directors.
KT&G has faced pressure recently to be more transparent in its CEO selection process. In a video published ahead of the South Korean tobacco firm’s annual general meeting, KT&G shareholder Flashlight Capital Partners highlighted what it considered the problems during previous CEO nominations.
In January, the incumbent CEO, Baek Bok-in, said he would not seek reappointment.
March 14, 2024
Okman Joins Filtrona as Commercial Director

Lutfu Okman (Photo courtesy of Filtrona)
Filtrona has appointed Lutfu Okman as its new global commercial director.
Okman brings with him over 25 years of commercial leadership experience, including senior management roles with multinational companies in the textiles, chemical and manufacturing industries.
He succeeds Hywel Thomas, who has announced his retirement after 10 years with the company.
“We are really pleased to welcome Lutfu to the Filtrona family,” said Filtrona CEO Robert Pye in a statement. “His proven track record of strategic commercial growth and wealth of experience make him an ideal fit for the role, and he is primed to drive our ambitious growth strategy. Lutfu plays a pivotal role in shaping Filtrona’s commercial endeavors and fostering sustainable long-term growth.”
“I am thrilled to join Filtrona at such an exciting time in its journey, particularly during the 100-year anniversary of the company’s first patented filter,” said Okman. “I look forward to collaborating with the talented and passionate Filtrona team to drive our commercial strategy, deliver exceptional value to our customers, and contribute to the company’s continued growth.”
Pye also expressed his gratitude for Thomas’ dedication and contributions to Filtrona. “Hywel’s leadership, strategic vision, and sharp business acumen have been invaluable to Filtrona, helping to make us the successful and dynamic global business that we are today. We sincerely thank Hywel and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”
March 12, 2024
Turning Point Appoints Andrew Flynn CFO

Image: motortion
Turning Point Brands (TPB) has appointed Andrew Flynn as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO), effective on or before April 1, 2024. Flynn is replacing Louie Reformina, who will step down to pursue other opportunities.
Prior to joining Turning Point Brands, Flynn served as the CFO of Connected Cannabis Co., where he was responsible for bringing sustained profitable growth, expanding geographically and recapitalizing the company. In this role, Flynn operationalized and reshaped the finance, IT, legal and compliance organizations to meet business objectives. Before joining Connected, he served as senior vice president of Juul Labs. Earlier in his career, he served as vice president of finance at James Hardie Building Products and vice president of finance at Arrow Electronics. Flynn holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver.
“Turning Point Brands is one of the most innovative and well-capitalized companies in the industry. TPB’s iconic Zig-Zag and Stoker’s brands and market-leading distribution platform set it apart in this rapidly evolving space. As CFO, I look forward to working with the board and management team to maximize long-term shareholder value,” said Flynn.
“Andrew has led key initiatives across all areas of finance and broader strategic planning throughout his career. His diverse operating background and industry expertise ideally positions him to help us maximize the value of our brands, continue to modernize our organization, and grow our free cash flow,” said Graham Purdy, Turning Point Brands’ president and CEO.
March 11, 2024
Hernandez Retires from Altria Board

Image: Casimiro
Jacinto J. Hernandez retired from Altria Group’s board of directors effective Feb. 23, 2024. Hernandez will continue to serve Altria as a strategic advisor under a five-year agreement.
“We thank Jacinto for his service on our board,” said Kathryn McQuade, Altria’s independent board chair, in a statement. “Our board benefited from his industry experience and financial expertise.”
“I joined Altria’s board because I am inspired by Altria’s vision to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a smoke-free future,” said Hernandez. “I am pleased that this agreement will allow me to focus my attention on helping Altria pursue its vision working directly with management.”
Hernandez is founder and principal of Cummings Consulting and Management. He previously served as a partner and investment analyst for Capital Group and its subsidiary, Capital World Investors.
He joined the Capital Group companies in August 2000 and retired in June 2022 after having spent 22 years covering a variety of industries, including U.S. tobacco, helping lead the research portfolio for one of the largest growth mutual funds in the world and serving in key leadership roles.
Hernandez is a director of Aris Water Solutions. He previously served as a director of Pioneer Natural Resources Co.
February 26, 2024
KT&G Names Final CEO Candidate

Photo: RerF
KT&G’s CEO candidate recommendation committee has selected Kyung-man Bang, senior executive vice president of KT&G, as the final CEO candidate.
Pending approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders in late March, Bang is set to officially assume the role and lead the company for the next three years.
Bang was chosen following an assessment of each shortlisted candidate based on five criteria: management expertise, global acumen, strategic thinking skills, stakeholder communications and universal morality and ethical awareness.
With a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire, Bang has held various management positions since joining Korea Tobacco and Ginseng in 1998. His extensive experience includes roles such as managing director of brand management, executive managing director of global headquarters, executive managing director of strategy and planning headquarters and chief business officer.
Bang, currently the chief operating officer, played a pivotal role in formulating the company’s mid-to-long term growth strategies. Among other achievements, he successfully launched the ESSE Change brand and expanded KT&G’s overseas market presence to over 100 countries.
“Members [of the CEO candidate recommendation committee] have been fully committed to ensuring transparency throughout the candidate assessment process and fair competition without external interference,” said committee Chairman Myung-chul Kim in a statement.
“I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to ensuring that KT&G leaps forward as a ‘global top-tier’ company by leading innovation and seizing future growth opportunities,” said Bang.
February 22, 2024
KT&G Finalizes Second CEO Shortlist

Photo: brizmaker
KT&G’s CEO candidate recommendation committee finalized the selection of candidates to be included in the second shortlist for the next CEO position. The candidates are Chul-ho Her (CEO of Korea Ginseng Corp.), Gye-hyun Kwon (former vice president of Samsung Electronics), Kyung-man Bang (senior vice president of KT&G) and Seok-joo Lee (former CEO of AK Holdings).
In selecting the candidates, the committee assessed to what extent the qualifications and competencies of the eight candidates on the first shortlist align with the five key competency criteria required for a CEO, which include management expertise, global expertise, strategical thinking skills, stakeholder communications and universal morality and ethical awareness.
The committee plans to conduct face-to-face interviews with each candidate on the second shortlist and name the final candidate following the committee resolution next week. The CEO will be officially appointed at the annual general meeting of shareholders in late March.
In a press note announcing the second shortlist, KT&G reiterated its commitment to fair and transparent CEO selection process. In late 2023, shareholder Flashlight Capital Partners urged KT&G to select its next CEO in a more transparent manner.
“The CEO candidate recommendation committee is fully committed to ensuring the transparency, fairness and objectivity throughout the candidate assessment process, adhering to the principle of maximizing the interests of all shareholders and the future value of the company,” said Myung-chul Kim, chairman of the KT&G CEO candidate recommendation committee.
“After conducting in-depth interviews with each candidate, we will determine and announce the most suitable candidate for the next CEO position, possessing the leadership qualities necessary to drive KT&G to greater heights of a global leading company.”
February 16, 2024
Deborah Arnott to Retire from ASH

Photo: Lyubov
Deborah Arnott will be retiring from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) on Sept. 30, and the board of trustees is starting the recruitment process for her successor.
During her 21-year tenure at ASH, Arnott developed and led campaigns that contributed to U.K. legislation prohibiting smoking in public places, putting tobacco out of sight in shops and plain standardized tobacco packs. According to ASH, the ratcheting up of regulation has been accompanied by substantial declines in smoking prevalence of more than half among adults and more than 80 percent among children aged 11–15.
Before Arnott retires, Parliament is expected to have passed laws to create a smoke-free generation.
“I want to thank Deborah for her passion and determination over the last 21 years,” said Nick Hopkinson, chair of trustees at ASH, in a statement. “While everyone at ASH will be sad to see Deborah go, she leaves ASH in a robust position, with sound finances and a talented staff team. The next chief executive will inherit a highly motivated group of colleagues and supporters. Now is an exciting time for tobacco control, with government commitments to a smoke-free future and raising the age of sale to create a smoke-free generation overwhelmingly supported by the public and Parliament.”
Arnott said, “I am proud to be leaving ASH at a good time and in safe hands, well on the way to delivery of our mission to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco. Our values, the strength of our team, the quality of ASH advocacy and networking, and our reputation and influence all stand us in good stead for the future. Whoever takes over from me is inheriting the leadership of an outstanding organization.”
Bob Blackman, Member of Parliament and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, which ASH provides the secretariat for, said, “What has been achieved in tobacco legislation over the last 21 years is in no small measure due to the brilliant work led by Deborah at ASH. Working in collaboration with politicians from across the political spectrum, she has built and sustained a truly cross-party consensus on ending the harms from smoking. As a result, I have no doubt that MPs from every party will vote to create a smoke-free generation later this year. We have much to thank her for.”
February 13, 2024
BAT Makes Board and Committee Changes

Photo: BAT
Sue Farr and Dimitri Panayotopoulos will step down from BAT’s board at the end of the company’s annual general meeting on April 24, 2024, having served as nonexecutive directors for nine years.
As a result of these departures, BAT is changing the role of senior independent director and the composition of the audit and remuneration committees.
After the conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting, Holly Keller Koeppel will be appointed as senior independent director, succeeding Farr. Koeppel has been a nonexecutive director of the company since July 2017, and she is currently chair of the audit committee and a member of the nominations committee. Darrell Thomas will be appointed as chair of the audit committee, succeeding Koeppel, who will remain a member of the audit committee. Kandy Anand will be appointed as chair of the remuneration committee, succeeding Panayotopoulos.
Luc Jobin said, “I would like to thank both Sue and Dimitri for their extensive contribution to the board over their tenures. I would also like to thank Holly for chairing the Audit Committee since 2019. I look forward to welcoming Holly, Darrell and Kandy to their new roles.”
The above proposals are subject to reelection of each of the directors at the 2024 annual general meeting.
February 6, 2024