Our People

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Elise Rasmussen

Elise Rasmussen is Tobacco Reporter’s publisher and sales director. She is also the founder and president of the Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum and the executive director of Tobacco Reporter’s parent company, the GTNF Trust.

In addition, Elise is the co-founder and chairwoman of Women in Tobacco, an association for women working for or connected to the tobacco and nicotine industries.

In 2015, she was elected as Fourth Warden of the Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders, one of the City of London’s historic livery companies—only the second time a woman has been elected as warden of the company.

Elise was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2013. In 2017, she received a Voices of Freedom Award from Forest, a U.K. organization for adult nicotine consumer rights.

Taco Tuinstra

Taco Tuinstra is Tobacco Reporter’s editorial director.

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, he coordinates the work of staff writers and contributors.

On his watch, Tobacco Reporter has won several awards for editorial excellence.

Since joining the magazine in 1997, Taco has visited more than 75 countries to meet industry representatives in their markets and to report tobacco news firsthand.

George Gay

George Gay is Tobacco Reporter’s European editor, but his territory spans the globe.

Based in London, George has covered the tobacco industry since 1982, initially for a U.K.-based publication and for Tobacco Reporter since 2004.

George’s understanding of industry issues, combined with his keen sense of observation and wit, have earned him a loyal following among Tobacco Reporter’s readers.

Stefanie Rossel

Stefanie Rossel is Tobacco Reporter’s editorial contributor.

An experienced trade journalist, she combines sharp reporting skills with in-depth knowledge of the tobacco and vapor industries.

Prior to joining Tobacco Reporter, Stefanie was editor-in-chief at Tobacco Journal International where she worked for a decade.

Fluent in English, German and French, Stefanie covers tobacco news around the world. She is based in Germany.

Timothy S. Donahue

Timothy S. Donahue is the assistant editor of Tobacco Reporter.

Since joining the team in January 2013, he has become not only an expert on the traditional tobacco business but also a respected voice in the rapidly developing vapor industry.

Timothy spends much of his time on the road, attending conferences and interviewing industry representatives.

His networking skills, work ethic and quick mind are valuable assets to our diverse audience. 

Marissa Dean

Marissa Dean is the content manager for the Tobacco Reporter website.

Marissa joined the team in the summer of 2018 as a copy editor.

Her skills span the publishing industry from layout and design to copy editing to content creation.

She currently assists in curating the magazine’s news as well as the website, allowing her to learn more about the tobacco and vapor sectors daily.