Category: People

  • Ozgo Steps Down as Cigar Group President

    Ozgo Steps Down as Cigar Group President

    Photo: Pcess609

    David Ozgo is moving on from his position as president of the Cigar Association of America (CAA).

    In a statement, the CAA acknowledged Ozgo’s committed service to the association.

    “In his time at CAA he modernized the association’s public relations and social media capability,” the organization wrote on its website. “His op-eds and interviews have been valuable in communicating industry positions. Additionally, his hard work brought in several new members.  We wish David all the luck on his next venture.”

    CAA’s board of directors will be embarking on a search for new executive leadership.

  • Erik Augustson to Direct FSFW Programs

    Erik Augustson to Direct FSFW Programs

    Image: Monster-Ztudio

    The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) has appointed Erik Augustson as vice president of programs, responsible for management and oversight of the foundation’s global grantmaking portfolio.

    In this new role, Augustson is poised to elevate the grant program, ensuring the foundation’s strategic priorities are addressed by overseeing the strategy, development and implementation of all programmatic work, including research strategy and grant generation.

    Throughout his career, Augustson has made contributions within academic, clinical medicine, federal government and private sector contexts. For the past two decades, he has been a driving force in advancing population-level and public health interventions on both domestic and international fronts.

    Notably, Augustson played a pivotal role in the development and leadership of the large-scale U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mobile health and behavior change program, Smokefree.gov.

    In addition to those achievements, Augustson is recognized as a mentor and senior leader, known for his human-focused management style. His commitment to research, intervention program development, evaluation and management has earned him accolades and positioned him as a respected figure in the field.

    “I am delighted to welcome Erik as the leader of this new team at the foundation,” said FSFW CEO Cliff Douglas in a statement. We have ambitious objectives to elevate the strength of our grantmaking and to diversify our partnerships and sources of funding. Erik’s experience delivering the highest-quality programs for the public and private sectors will be a great help in those endeavors.”

    An alumnus of the University of New Mexico, Augustson holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate in psychology. He also completed two postdoctoral fellowships—one in behavioral medicine at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and the other in epidemiology and cancer prevention at the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

  • Song Young-jae to Lead BAT Korea

    Song Young-jae to Lead BAT Korea

    British American Tobacco has appointed Song Young-jae as its new country manager in Korea, reports The Korea Herald.

    A marketing and finance expert, Song will be tasked with promoting BAT’s combustible products.

    “Song is an expert in the global tobacco industry and the right person to spearhead the company’s future innovation,” a company official was quoted as saying.

    A graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Song started his career at the BAT headquarters in London in 2008. In 2010, Song moved to BAT’s Netherlands office, where he nurtured his specialty in marketing and finance.

    Following a first stint at BAT’s Korean unit between 2014 and 2020, Song was appointed general director of the BAT-Vinataba joint venture in Vietnam.

    “I feel heavy responsibility taking the country manager post at BAT Rothmans amid the rapidly changing market environment,” Song said. “I will introduce innovative and sustainable business strategies so that BAT Rothmans can lead the market in the future and solidify its status in the global tobacco industry.”

  • Murray Garnick to Retire From Altria

    Murray Garnick to Retire From Altria

    Photo: Altria Group

    Murray R. Garnick, executive vice president and general counsel of Altria Group, will retire on April 1. Garnick’s career spanned nearly 40 years in support of Altria and its family of companies. He joined Altria Client Services in 2008 as senior vice president and associate general counsel after more than two decades representing Altria and its subsidiaries in litigation matters as a partner at the law firm of Arnold and Porter.

    “Under Murray’s guidance, we have successfully managed significant litigation challenges and established Altria as a leading advocate for tobacco harm reduction policies in the U.S.,” said Altria CEO Billy Gifford in a statement. “In addition to Murray’s significant individual contributions, his passion for developing world-class legal and regulatory talent has contributed tremendously to Altria’s success. I am grateful for his many contributions, and I wish him the best in retirement.”

    Robert (Bob) A. McCarter will become Altria’s executive vice president and general counsel effective April 1, 2024. Currently, McCarter serves as senior vice president and associate general counsel for Altria Client Services, where he supervises the management of tobacco, health and other litigation. McCarter joined Altria in 2015 following 18 years in private practice representing Altria and its subsidiaries in litigation matters.

  • KT&G Finalizes CEO Candidates Shortlist

    KT&G Finalizes CEO Candidates Shortlist

    Photo: uaPieceofCake

    The governance committee of KT&G Corp. finalized the first shortlist of KT&G CEO candidates on Jan. 31 and recommended the finalized list to the CEO candidate recommendation committee. The first shortlist includes four external candidates and four internal candidates.

    The governance committee held eight meetings since the end of December to oversee the open recruitment for CEO candidates and conduct comprehensive assessments. Subsequently, the committee selected the first shortlist by taking into account impartial and objective opinions from the advisory panel composed of external experts.

    The CEO candidate recommendation committee will now assess the candidates from the first shortlist in order to ensure sufficient candidate validation and select the most suitable candidate for the CEO position. The committee will finalize the second shortlist of three to four individuals by mid-February and disclose the list upon its finalization.

    Then, the CEO candidate recommendation committee will conduct face-to-face interviews with the candidates on the second shortlist to thoroughly review each candidate. Following the assessment, the committee will name the final CEO candidate and report to the board of directors by the end of February. The board of directors will then table the agenda for the annual general meeting of shareholders after resolution, and the CEO will be appointed following the approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders in late March.

    The CEO candidate recommendation committee is composed entirely of outside directors, without the participation of the incumbent CEO, Bok-in Baek.

  • Senior Appointments at RAI

    Senior Appointments at RAI

    Christy Canary-Garner (left) and Valerie Mras. (Photos: RAI)

    Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), has appointed two senior leaders within its operating companies, effective Feb. 1, 2024.

    Christy Canary-Garner, currently vice president, marketing, will be promoted to senior vice president, marketing. in this role, Canary-Garner will lead R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.’s combustible portfolio. Canary-Garner began her career with the organization in 1992 as a territory manager with Brown & Williamson. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in brand marketing, consumer experience, human resources, and regulatory engagement. Canary-Garner’s industry knowledge and extensive experience spans the combustibles brand portfolio and transformative new categories with Vuse and Velo.

    Valerie Mras, currently vice president, vapor marketing commercialization, will be promoted to senior vice president, vapor. Mras joined the organization in 2008 as a territory manager in trade marketing and during her 16-year tenure has held a number of leadership roles, building teams and driving business delivery. In 2012, she joined the consumer marketing division, working across several brand marketing roles, including Camel, VUSE, Grizzly, Newport and Pall Mall.

    In 2020, she was promoted and began an international assignment at BAT’s headquarters in London as the head of new categories platform development, where she was instrumental in developing and executing the global product and pipeline strategy. In 2023, Mras returned to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA, to lead R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co.’s commercial business.

  • China: Chain-smoking marathon runner banned

    China: Chain-smoking marathon runner banned

    Image: Iryna

    A 52-year-old man has been banned from Xiamen Marathon’s races for two years after he chain-smoked throughout the C&D Xiamen Marathon 2024 on Jan. 7, 2024, according to The Independent. He completed the race in three hours and 33 minutes, but his time and ranking were voided.

    The smoker has also been reported to the Chinese Athletics Association for further penalties.

    The man’s smoking was verified by “race supervision, referee reports, timing chip data, race videos, pictures and other materials,” according to the organizing committee.

    The runner is popularly known as Uncle Chen and is often called “Smoking Brother,” according to Canadian Running magazine.

    Chen reportedly smoked during a 2022 marathon as well.

    Smoking is listed as one of the “(punishable) uncivil behaviors” on the Xiamen Marathon’s website along with “open defecation, littering, trampling on the flowers and grass and other behaviors that might affect other runners.”

    Other Chinese cities have begun addressing smoking during marathons and introducing rules against “uncivilized behavior.” The Chinese Athletics Association introduced a proposal last year aimed at encouraging healthier participation and reducing smoking during road-running events. According to the proposal, participants caught not adhering to the new rules would be subject to disqualification.

    Chen is an ultramarathoner, and images of him smoking during races first emerged in 2018.

  • Parkside Restructures Management

    Parkside Restructures Management

    Image: Parkside

    Parkside is restructuring its management team.

    The company has appointed Robert Adamson as chairman and Paula Birch as managing director. The flexible packaging innovator’s Asian operations will now be headed by Paul Vaughan, who has been made general manager of Parkside Asia, while Joshua Swann joins the board as technical director to lead on NPD and innovation.

    Laura Haggerty will assume the role of BAT account director and head of client services, and Julia O’Loughlin will become group marketing manager.

    Staci Bye has returned to a customer-facing role as sales account manager while Jonathan Steele is beginning a two-year secondment to the company’s Asian site to bolster its technical capabilities and support its growing business in the region.

    “Thanks to the hard work and passion of the entire Parkside team, we bucked industry trends and enjoyed a hugely successful 2023,” said Birch in a statement. “Our business has grown significantly in recent years as demand for sustainable flexible packaging innovations continues to increase, and it’s important that our business capacity and capabilities grow along with it.

    “This restructure will help us harness the momentum of our recent success so we can continue to deliver market-leading innovations and the best possible service to our customers across the world.”

  • Imperial Adds Hamilton as Non-Exec. Director

    Imperial Adds Hamilton as Non-Exec. Director

    Image: Mariakray

    Julie Hamilton will join the board of Imperial Brands as a non-executive director upon conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting on Jan. 31, 2024.

    Hamilton, who was chief commercial and global sales officer at Diageo until August 2023, has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, strategy and digital transformation. Prior to Diageo, she spent 25 years at the Coca-Cola Co. where she held a range of leadership positions, including chief customer and commercial leadership officer.

    “Julie is an experienced global leader who brings deep knowledge of delivering commercial change in multinational consumer businesses,” said Imperial Brands Chair Thérèse Esperdy in a statement. “Her understanding of digital transformation and global brands will be invaluable to the board as it continues to oversee Imperial’s strategy and transformation.”

    Hamilton will also join the People and Governance Committee upon appointment.

  • Foley Joins Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

    Foley Joins Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

    Image: Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

    The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World appointed Katherine Ellen Foley as its new director of media relations. Foley brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of health and medical journalism, making her a valuable addition to the foundation’s mission to accelerate the end of smoking worldwide.

    Prior to joining the foundation, Foley served as a U.S. Food and Drug Administration reporter for Politico, where she stood out for her dedication to the role and for her fearless coverage of the politics behind major regulatory decisions, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her insightful reporting spanned diverse areas, including neurodegenerative diseases, Covid-19 vaccines and therapeutics, and nicotine and tobacco regulation.

    Cliff Douglas, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, said in a statement, “Katherine Foley is a terrific addition to our team. Her experience in health journalism and commitment to public health align perfectly with our goals. Katherine’s passion for improving understanding in this complex area and advancing effective tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives will undoubtedly strengthen how we communicate with stakeholders and the public regarding these complex issues.”

    Foley said, “I am delighted to join the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World in their crucial efforts to combat smoking worldwide. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to contribute to public health initiatives on the front line. I am eager to leverage my experience in media and communications more generally to drive awareness of the foundation’s crucial work.”

    Foley graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 2014 and holds a master’s degree in journalism from New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is an enthusiastic long-distance runner.

    In her new role, Foley will lead the foundation’s media relations strategy, fostering collaborations and enhancing communication efforts to further the foundation’s vision of reducing smoking prevalence globally.