Category: People

  • Former CTP Official to Lead Truth Initiative

    Former CTP Official to Lead Truth Initiative

    Kathy Crosby | Image: Truth Initiative

    Truth Initiative has named Kathy Crosby as its new CEO and president effective Oct. 2, 2023. Crosby is succeeding Robin Koval, who has served as CEO and president since 2013 and is retiring after a decade. “Kathy’s impressive background, extensive experience and passion for public health make her an exceptional choice to lead our organization,” said Truth Initiative board chair Mike Moore in a statement.

    Crosby joins Truth Initiative from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), where she served as director of the Office of Health Communication and Education for the past 12 years. In this role, she spearheaded impactful public education, research and evaluation, and regulatory communication programs that have been instrumental in advancing the successful implementation of the Tobacco Control Act. With a 25-year career in behavior change marketing and advertising, Crosby brings a wealth of experience from both private and nonprofit sectors where she held various senior leadership roles; prior to her tenure at the FDA, she served as senior vice president and group campaign director of the Washington office of the Ad Council and as vice president of strategic planning at Arnold Worldwide, where she helped launch Truth Initiative’s iconic truth campaign.

    Crosby’s career at the FDA includes roles within the executive leadership team responsible for shaping national policies aimed at reducing tobacco-related disease and death. Her contributions encompass diverse areas, such as policy development, cutting-edge social science research, regulatory actions, communications and strategic outreach. Notable accomplishments under her guidance include her involvement in the formulation of health warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements, groundbreaking research on health equity, regulations for emerging tobacco products and the implementation of stringent marketing restrictions on newly authorized tobacco products.

    As the first director of health communication and education at the FDA’s CTP, Crosby oversaw vital initiatives that contributed significantly to reducing tobacco use. These include the creation of a comprehensive communication office, development of tailored advertising campaigns targeting at-risk populations, establishment of the Tobacco Education Resource Library, execution of a robust conference exhibit program and the launch of the FDA’s Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center.

    “I’ve dedicated the last 25 years to using public education communications as a means of creating behavior changes that will help people live healthier lives—a passion that began when I worked on the first truth campaign,” said Crosby. “Leading Truth Initiative feels like I’m coming home, and I can’t think of a better time or place to continue advocating for positive change. The opportunity has never been greater to help people leave tobacco behind, and I eagerly look forward to the work ahead.”

    Koval said, “Kathy is an exceptional leader with a proven track record in public health communication, social science research and tobacco prevention. With her highly relevant experience and accomplishments, Kathy is well poised to lead Truth Initiative into the future, build on the organization’s lifesaving legacy and continue to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our nation’s youth.”

  • Ispire Appoints Top Executives

    Ispire Appoints Top Executives

    Image: CrazyCloud

    Ispire Technology has appointed Michael Wang as its co-chief executive officer. Wang previously served as chief financial officer. Concurrently, Daniel J. Machock was appointed as the new chief financial officer.

    Wang has assumed the role of co-chief executive officer alongside Tuanfang Liu. This strengthened leadership structure is designed to refine Ispire’s strategic direction and spearhead the company’s future growth. Ispire’s decision to elevate Wang stems from his record in strategic and financial leadership.

    “Having been deeply involved with Ispire’s progress, I look forward to partnering with Tuanfang to further the company’s growth and expansion,” said Wang in a statement. “Together, we share a mutual vision of global development and pioneering innovation within the company.”

    With extensive 25-year experience in financial strategy, including at Appetize Technologies and Chrome River Technologies, Ispire expects Machock to bolster its financial footing.

    “I am honored to take on the role of CFO at Ispire,” said Machock. “Eager to harness my financial expertise, I deeply value the company’s unwavering dedication to innovation in the cannabis vaping arena and am committed to contributing to its continued success.”

  • Tax Free World Association Director Steps Down

    Tax Free World Association Director Steps Down

    Image: Dmytro

    John Rimmer, managing director of the Tax Free World Association (TFWA), will step down from his position and leave the TFWA effective Oct. 30, 2023.

    Rimmer joined the TFWA in October 2012 as director of conferences and research. He was promoted to managing director in October 2017 following Alain Maingreaud’s retirement.

    “On behalf of the management committee, the board and the entire team at TFWA, I would like to thank John for his valuable contribution to the development and success of TFWA since he joined and wish him every success going forward,” said Erik Juul-Mortensen, president of the TFWA, in a statement.

    The search for a new managing director has been initiated, and an announcement will be made in due course, according to the TFWA.

  • Steve McGeough to Lead Übbs

    Steve McGeough to Lead Übbs

    Photo: Übbs

    Nicotine pouch manufacturer Übbs has appointed Steve McGeough as general manager.

    Previously head of retail at British American Tobacco, Steve brings considerable experience from within the nicotine space. During his time at BAT, McGeough transformed the retail and direct-to-consumer experience, boosting sales by 20 percent. In addition, McGeough led the launch of BAT’s Vuse and Velo brands across the U.K., underpinned by a global offline subscription proposition.

    Prior to BAT, McGeough was retail director for Tesco Mobile where he helped to achieve double-digit revenue growth and enhance customer satisfaction.

    As general manager for Übbs, Steve will drive distribution, accelerate the brand’s online presence, build awareness and focus on responsible growth.

    “With over 25 years’ experience across retail, start-ups and product-led businesses, including significant time in the nicotine industry, Steve brings an impressive blend of experience that means he is perfectly positioned to help propel Übbs forward,” says Nigel Hardy director of Übbs parent company, RV Kharma.

    “His experience at British American Tobacco working within the next generation products division where he achieved impressive sales growth and launched nicotine pouch products across the U.K. is a great grounding for what’s to come with Übbs.

    “Steve shares our unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability and ethical practices. We look forward to him taking the reins as we continue to grow.”

    Founded in the U.K. in 2022, Übbs’ pouches are manufactured to global pharma standards in India.

  • Kaival Appoints CEO and CFO

    Kaival Appoints CEO and CFO

    Eric Mosser

    Kaival Brands Innovations Group has promoted its current president and chief operating officer, Eric Mosser, to the position of CEO.

    Mosser, who will retain the position of president, brings over a decade of senior leadership experience, including since 2020 at Kaival Brands.

    From 2022 to 2014, Mosser worked as director of information technology at Timbercon, a fiber-optic design company and ITAR manufacturing facility in Oregon, USA. In 2014, Mosser created Lasermycig, a specialized custom laser-engraving service for electronic cigarettes and vaporizers and served as its CEO until 2020.

    In 2015, Mosser and Bidi Vapor owner Nirajkumar Patel founded Chillcorp, a full-service corporation managing operations of Just Chill Products, Relax Lab., RLX Lab, and KC Innovations Lab.

    Kaival Brands Innovations Group has also appointed Thomas J. Metzler as its new chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary, replacing Mark Thoenes, who has served as Interim CFO since 2021.  

    Metzler brings over 20 years of finance and operational experience in the vaping and consumer products sector, previously serving as managing director of a division of Turning Point Brands.

    At Turning Point Brands, Metzler led a team to transform the process of financial management efficiencies, which improved cost controls, managed inventory turn, developed strategic product promotions to accelerate product distribution, and built strategic alliances with suppliers. Metzler also developed and monitored key performance indicators (KPI).

    Metzler has extensive knowledge of vaping technologies and a record of building strong partnerships with industry stakeholders. He has also been actively engaged in national trade and industry standards organizations.

    At Kaival, Metzler’s will initially focus on maximizing inventory turn and driving revenue, developing and monitoring KPIs and controlling costs. Metzler also has experience in mergers and acquisitions and post-acquisition integration, which he will bring to bear on the vaporizer and inhalation patent portfolio acquired by the Kaival in May 2023.

    “We are very excited to have Tom join our senior management team and believe his hiring represents a key building block for the future of Kaival Brands,” said Mosser in a statement. “Tom brings to us a wealth of experience and knowledge across all of the key elements of the CFO’s office including treasury, finance and accounting.”

     

  • Industry Mourns Tommy Bunn

    Industry Mourns Tommy Bunn

    Photo: New Africa

    Jessie Thomas “Tommy” Bunn, a distinguished leader in U.S. national and state level agricultural policy and marketing and the husband of North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall, passed away unexpectedly July 24 after suffering a traumatic brain event, the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State reported.

    A native of Zebulon, North Carolina, Bunn formerly served as president of the U.S. Tobacco Cooperative following a 21-year career as executive vice-president of the Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association and Tobacco Association of the United States.

    In addition, he served as deputy director and acting director of the Agricultural Marketing Service Tobacco Division for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. and served under Commissioner Jim Graham with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

    At the time of his death, he was serving as a consultant to the tobacco industry.

    Bunn was named by the North Carolina State Grange as Man of the Year in 1988 and was honored as a Distinguished Alumni with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University in 2012, where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture Business/Crop Science in 1966.

  • Former China Monopoly Leader Arrested

    Former China Monopoly Leader Arrested

    Image: Bonsales

    He Zehua, former deputy chief of China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, has been arrested on charges of alleged bribe taking, reports China Daily.

    The Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Liaoning Provincial People’s Procuratorate ordered the arrest. His case was investigated by the National Commission of Supervision.

  • 22nd Century Appoints John Miller Interim CEO

    22nd Century Appoints John Miller Interim CEO

    22nd Century Group has appointed John Miller, who leads the tobacco business unit, as interim CEO. James A. Mish, who has served as CEO since June 2020, will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. 22nd Century also appointed Wall Street veteran Andrew “Andy” Arno to its board of directors as an independent director.

    “I have enjoyed advancing the key initiatives of 22nd Century, building an accomplished team of dedicated individuals taking this company from an R&D organization focused on plant science to a fully commercial consumer products business,” said Mish in a statement. “I am particularly proud of the work we have done to date on tobacco harm reduction while simultaneously building a competitive array of products that serve our hemp/cannabis customers. As a result, we are at an opportune juncture to enhance John Miller’s leadership role to take our VLN business to the next level.”

    “I look forward to continuing to advance our mission of innovative plant technologies tied to tobacco harm reduction and new consumer focused health and wellness products,” said Miller. “VLN represents the most unique and innovative approach to harm reduction in years, providing adult smokers with a truly unique, clinically studied solution to reducing their smoking habit. Likewise, our work in the hemp/cannabis business is bringing forward new products sought by consumers while applying the consistent standards, reliable manufacturing processes and national distribution support needed for brands to effectively scale in these growing end markets.”

    “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I want to thank Jim for his numerous accomplishments and dedicated service during his tenure as CEO, leading us through our FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] authorization, GVB acquisition and the first 18 months of our commercial transformation,” said Nora Sullivan, chair of the board. “Remaining as a member of the board will allow him to continue lending his guidance and significant expertise in the hemp/cannabis business.”

  • Fuson Joins Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker

    Fuson Joins Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker

    Photo: RerF

    John Fuson has joined Kleinfeld Kaplan & Becker (KKB) as a partner. Fuson advises clients on a variety of issues relating to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation of the tobacco industry and other sectors.

    During his career, Fuson has served as associate chief counsel for enforcement at the FDA, where he represented the agency in major enforcement actions, including in seizure, injunction and other cases relating to violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and related laws.

    For the past 11 years, he has maintained a private practice focused on counseling clients on the FDA’s requirements for product approval, safety, manufacturing and labeling. He has dealt with complex enforcement actions and advised senior management on market entry strategies, labeling and promotional activities, regulatory compliance, facility inspections, recalls and the preparation of FDA submissions.

    “John is an outstanding food and drug lawyer,” said Dan Dwyer, KKB’s managing partner, in a statement. “Our firm has one of the most comprehensive FDA regulatory and advertising practices in the country, and John’s strong understanding of FDA’s enforcement practices and his comprehensive experience in the field make him a perfect fit for our firm.”

    Fuson joins KKB from Crowell & Moring. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia and California.

  • Jean Gonnell Joins Troutman Pepper

    Jean Gonnell Joins Troutman Pepper

    Jean Gonnell, Partner, Troutman Pepper | Credit: Troutman Pepper

    Jean Gonnell, a regulatory attorney with a significant focus cannabis and tobacco law, has joined Troutman Pepper’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy and Enforcement (RISE) practice group. Resident in the firm’s Charlotte office, Gonnell joins from her private practice, Gonnell Law.

    Gonnell began her legal career in Colorado, where she was at the forefront of cannabis legislation before the larger movement to legalize the drug. Over the course of her career, she has represented more than 100 clients in the cannabis industry, including approximately 15 percent of all licensed cannabis businesses in Colorado. With a deep commitment to her clients and dedication to the flourishing cannabis field, she continues to expand her practice and make a positive impact in the evolving landscape of cannabis law.

    “Jean’s addition to the firm will deepen the expertise of the firm’s established tobacco and nicotine and cannabis law practices,” said John West, chair of the business litigation department, in a statement. “Her extensive experience will enhance the innovative solutions we provide for our existing cannabis-focused clients as well as expand the services we can offer to potential new clients in the space.”

    “With the possibility of North Carolina passing a new medical marijuana regulatory regime, the timing of Jean joining our Charlotte office could not be better,” said Jason Evans, managing partner of the Charlotte office. “We welcome her and are confident that her guidance will help to expand our reach in providing service to clients.” Gonnell is the second partner to join the Charlotte office in recent months, following the arrival of white-collar partner Matt Orso in May.

    Gonnell is licensed to practice in Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina.

    “I’m thrilled to join Troutman Pepper due to its strong regulatory presence,” said Gonnell. “I chose the firm because it allows me to maintain top client service while also giving me the network to expand my practice to new fronts. I’m excited to continue working with my clients in Colorado while also expanding my client base here in North Carolina.”