Tag: Swisher

Helme Tobacco Returns

Photo: Burtsc
Swisher announced a rebrand of its smokeless tobacco portfolio with the return of the historic Helme Tobacco Co.
The company’s smokeless division previously fell under the Fat Lip Brands umbrella and comprises 24 individual brands, including Kayak moist snuff tobacco, Starr loose leaf chew tobacco and Navy dry snuff.
The Helme Tobacco Co. name traces its roots back to the 1880s and founder George W. Helme, who established the snuff and chewing tobacco company in Helmetta, New Jersey, USA. By 1925, Helme was reportedly the world’s largest snuff maker. The Helme Tobacco Co. and its products became part of the Swisher family of products and brands in 1986. Swisher later branded its smokeless tobacco portfolio under Fat Lip Brands and now rebrands that portfolio under the Helme name.
While Swisher’s corporate headquarters is based in Jacksonville, Florida, the Helme Tobacco Co. smokeless division is located in Wheeling, West Virginia.
“This year is a historic one for Swisher as we celebrate 100 years of continuous operations in Jacksonville, Florida. We believe now is the perfect time to reintroduce this historic and prominent smokeless tobacco name to adult consumers,” said Swisher President and CEO Neil Kiely. “The Helme name is synonymous with high-quality products and reflects the unwavering commitment of the Wheeling, West Virginia team.”
The following brands will now fall under the Helme Tobacco Co. name:
Kayak, Creek and Gold River moist snuff tobacco; Starr, Bowie, Chattanooga Chew, Lancaster and Mailpouch chewing tobacco; and Buttercup, Checkerberry, Dixie Sweet, Honey Bee, Lorillard, Navy, Railroad Mills, Ralphs, Society, Square, Starr, Strawberry, Superior, Three Thistle, Tops and Wild Cherry dry snuff.
August 27, 2024
Swisher Pledges $1 Million in Philanthropy

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
Swisher, a family-owned company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, pledged $1 million in donations in 2023, reports GlobeNewswire.
With a refreshed strategy led by Marisa Brighton, Swisher’s senior director of community engagement, the 162-year-old company is placing a renewed emphasis on supporting community causes that tie directly to its core values and shared priorities with employees.
Swisher’s philanthropic efforts will focus on four key areas, including supporting the nation’s heroes and families, community health and well-being, community revitalization, and higher education through strategic partnerships and programs.
“Swisher has long been recognized for its dedication to community service and philanthropy in Jacksonville and beyond,” stated Brighton. “We are reigniting our legacy by forging deeper connections and cultivating enduring partnerships that enhance the quality of life for our community.”
This revitalized focus on community engagement aligns closely with the vision of Swisher President and CEO Neil Kiely.
“As a family-owned company, we carry a profound sense of responsibility to make meaningful investments in the communities where we live and operate,” said Kiely. “Marisa shares this passion and is already establishing key partnerships with esteemed and trustworthy community service providers.”
Swisher commits to investing a minimum of $1 million in community causes and philanthropic initiatives throughout 2023, with a primary focus on Jacksonville.
This investment will be channeled through partnerships with local and national organizations that align with Swisher’s core values and strategic focus areas.
May 31, 2023
Howard to Lead Swisher’s External Affairs/Compliance

Photo: Swisher
Swisher has promoted Chris Howard to executive vice president of external affairs and new product compliance. Howard succeeds Joe Augustus, who recently announced his retirement after more than 33 years with the company.
Howard previously held the role of senior vice president of general counsel and chief compliance officer at E-Alternative Solutions (EAS), a Swisher company. Over the past six years, he has played a leading role in advancing several EAS and Swisher initiatives and regulatory compliance programs, including for Leap and Rogue tobacco products as well as novel CBD products.
In his new role on the executive leadership team, Howard will accelerate Swisher’s external affairs strategic objectives and mold a new section providing regulatory approval and compliance support for new product development.
“Through his ongoing efforts advocating Swisher and industry interests and advancing major initiatives, Chris has been a key leader and strategist for our company in his six years with us,” said Neil Kiely, president of Swisher.
“Chris’ deep experience and unique skillset make him the perfect candidate to help us navigate the evolving regulatory environment in our industry—we look forward to the impact he will deliver.”
Howard has a long history in external and regulatory affairs, having previously served as general counsel for Fontem Ventures, associate general counsel for Lorillard Tobacco Company and several in-house counsel positions with Syngenta.
November 15, 2022
Jacinta Carter to Lead HR at Swisher

Jacinta Carter (Photo: Swisher)
Swisher has hired Jacinta Carter as executive vice president, human resources, people and culture effective Jan. 31. In this new role, Carter will lead all aspects of Swisher’s human resources operations, with a priority focus on organizational alignment, building strong pipelines for future hiring needs, promoting inclusion and opportunity in the workplace, and designing and evaluating career paths to meet the company’s business growth goals.
Carter will have a vital role in shaping the organization and in transforming the culture necessary to achieve Swisher’s long-term vision, and to empower employees in an inclusive culture of growth and opportunity.
“Jacinta is the right leader to help us continue to build an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing culture, which is vital for our business to thrive in 2022 and beyond,” said Swisher President Neil Kiely in a statement. “Her background and skills align with our guiding principles and business transformation goals. We are excited to have her join our team.”
Most recently, Carter served as senior vice president, human resources for Atrium Hospitality, where she created a highly sustainable and employee-centric organization and as a key member of the executive leadership team, grew the company from a small start-up into an industry leader. Before Atrium, she was vice president, corporate human resources and corporate communications at Graphic Packaging International, where she was responsible for strategic planning, communications, succession planning and employee learning.
“Joining Swisher represents a wonderful opportunity to build on what is already a positive, engaging and thriving environment,” said Carter. “I especially appreciate the strong intrapreneurial culture of growth and opportunity at Swisher, and look forward to forging new partnerships and creating opportunities in further developing existing talent and attracting new talent.”
February 1, 2022
Crafton Joins Swisher as VP of Innovation

Zack Crafton (Photo: Swisher)
Swisher has appointed Zack Crafton as vice president of corporate innovation. In this position, Crafton will be working to diversify Swisher’s products and brands.
“This is a significant appointment for our company, and we welcome Zack’s wealth of innovation experience and leadership that will move Swisher to drive the implementation of our strategic objectives and expand our portfolio of products,” said John Miller, president and CEO of Swisher, in a statement. “Our first corporate innovation VP reflects our commitment to growth and the future of Swisher.”
Crafton has extensive experience and leadership in categories including wine, beer, cannabis and regulated e-commerce. Before joining Swisher, Crafton was CEO of the first online dispensary in California’s recreational cannabis market, paving the way for emerging cannabis brands and direct-to-consumer platforms across the cannabis industry. Prior to entering the California cannabis market, Crafton helped launch NakedWines.com where he built the largest online winery in the world as chief operating officer.

We welcome Zack’s wealth of innovation experience and leadership that will move Swisher to drive the implementation of our strategic objectives and expand our portfolio of products.
John Miller, president and CEO, Swisher
In 2020, Swisher announced a new corporate identity, purpose, mission, vision and strategic framework to develop new businesses, products and experiences while building on the legacies and strengths of existing products.
“I’m thrilled to join Swisher, and I look forward to building a robust innovation platform, unique capabilities and a durable plan to support Swisher’s growth and diversification goals into innovative categories,” said Crafton. “This is an exciting time where we look to diversify Swisher’s product and capability portfolio while helping to shape the future for adult consumers.”
June 7, 2021
Swisher and EAS Expand Partnership

Photo: EAS
Swisher and E-Alternative Solutions (EAS) have expanded their partnership to support the marketing, sales and distribution of EAS’s Leap and Leap Go vapor brands. Both companies will remain separate entities with EAS benefitting from the additional support and strength of Swisher’s world-class sales and marketing organization.
Jeffrey Brown, formerly vice president of sales for EAS, has been named general manager of EAS and will take the lead in the evolution of the partnership.
“Jeff is a well-respected leader with more than three decades of industry experience, and as general manager, he is the natural choice to take the EAS business to the next level and drive our respective brand expansion goals,” said John Miller, president and CEO of Swisher, in a statement. “In the short term, the expanded partnership between EAS and Swisher will remain transparent to our valued customer base, and we will be following up with additional details as they become available.”

I look forward to working with the Swisher sales and marketing teams and taking the Leap and Leap Go brands to the next level.
Jeffrey Brown, general manager, EAS
“I couldn’t be more excited about this arrangement and look forward to working with the Swisher sales and marketing teams and taking the Leap and Leap Go brands to the next level,” said Brown. “EAS was built from the ground up to prosper in the highly regulated tobacco environment, and with the bench strength of the Swisher sales and marketing teams, we have the power to broaden our reach and expand the distribution of these great brands,” he added.
Over the past several years, Swisher has continued to expand its offerings to include smokeless tobacco products, premium cigars and modern oral nicotine products to appeal to diverse and changing consumer tastes. Broadening its strategic partnership with EAS is another step toward becoming a more consumer-centric company.
March 19, 2021
John Miller President and CEO at Swisher

John Miller (Photo: Swisher)
Swisher’s board of directors has elected John J. Miller to serve as the company’s president and chief executive officer. Miller has served in senior leadership roles during his tenure at Swisher, including most recently as president since 2017. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of sales and marketing with responsibility for its core tobacco and adjacency businesses, overseeing sales, marketing, trade and business analytics
Miller joined Swisher in 2012, and since then, he has guided the company through significant strategic change, highlighted by year-over-year record-breaking growth. A principled leader with a deep understanding of the adult consumer market, Miller has been instrumental in transforming the organization and refocusing priorities on growth and innovation. This includes the redesign of Swisher’s corporate brand identity in conveying the company’s purpose, mission and vision to reflect its guiding principles and strategic goals.
Under Miller’s leadership, Swisher has doubled the size of its field sales force, tripled the size of its national accounts team and has recognized Swisher’s talented employees by awarding more than 175 promotions throughout the organization.
Miller has guided Swisher’s strategic vision as the company has worked to establish programs to adapt and innovate, meeting the needs of trade partners and its millions of adult consumers across the country. In support of the company evolution, Miller announced the creation of a chief growth officer function in late 2020 and expanded the innovation team to realize its diversification goals into new product categories and to accelerate expansion beyond its core tobacco portfolio.
March 2, 2021
Swisher Announces Executive VPs

Photo: Jakub Jirsák | Dreamstime.com
Swisher has named Joe Augustus, Chris Casey and Lee Creasman executive vice presidents. They will continue to report to John J. Miller, president. Glenn Goodroe was also named executive vice president and will continue to report to Lou Caldropoli, chief operations officer.
Augustus, previously senior vice president of global affairs, will continue to lead corporate global affairs, international sales and distribution and will now also oversee Swisher’s inclusion, diversity and transformation program and Swisher’s corporate citizenship initiatives. Alexandria Deal, manager of diversity, inclusion and transformation, will now report to Augustus.
Casey, previously senior vice president and general counsel, leads the company’s legal and regulatory departments and the corporate secretary’s office.
Creasman, previously senior vice president of human resources, is responsible for leading the talent strategy for Swisher, including recruiting, the HRIS system and organizational development.
Goodroe, previously senior vice president of operations, is responsible for manufacturing, operations and supply chain. He is a member of the senior leadership team reporting to Lou Caldropoli, chief operations officer.
“The new level of executive vice president, along with the recent announcement of John Haley as chief growth officer and the 2017 announcement of Lou Caldropoli as chief operations officer, strengthens our senior leadership team for the execution of future growth plans,” said John Miller, president of Swisher, in a statement.
January 18, 2021
Swisher Names Rossi SVP Sales & Marketing

Photo: Jakub Jirsák | Dreamstime
Swisher has named Jeff Rossi as senior vice president, sales and marketing. In his new role, Rossi will oversee both sales and marketing functions, including the trade marketing group, focusing on driving success and collaboration. Previously, Rossi was vice president, trade marketing and category development.
“Jeff has demonstrated exceptional work in every position he has held at Swisher,” said John Haley, Swisher’s chief growth officer, in a statement. “His leadership and business acumen will continue to drive success and synergies within the three groups.” Reporting to Jeff will be Dean Simmons, vice president field sales, Dave Untiedt, vice president consumer marketing and Andrew Swartz, senior director trade marketing.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, Swisher announced an expansion of the company’s vision, offerings and focus on adult consumer lifestyles. As part of the strategic focus, Swisher’s five strategic businesses—Swisher Sweets Cigar Company (large & little/filtered cigars); Fat Lip Brands (smokeless); Drew Estate (premium cigars); Hempire (hemp products); and Rogue Holdings (modern oral nicotine)—provide category expertise, product knowledge and a focused approach under a renewed purpose for the company.
The new corporate growth department will also include a renewed focus on servicing the needs of Swisher’s trade partners with better market and in-store data insights, including packaging and merchandising solutions.
“As we begin our 160th year in business, I’m excited to take on this new role and lead Swisher sales and marketing into a new era focused on our five strategic growth categories and continue to drive the implementation of our purpose, mission and vision,” said Rossi.
January 7, 2021
Swisher Names Haley Chief Growth Officer

Illustration: Skypixel | Dreamstime
Swisher has named John Haley chief growth officer, overseeing the company’s newly formed corporate growth department. In this new role, Haley will focus on growth, innovation, strategy and structure of Swisher to enable organizational transformation to drive change throughout the company. He will oversee sales and marketing, strategic growth, innovation, and business analytics.
“I am pleased and excited to take on this new role and effect meaningful change and usher Swisher into a period of accelerated growth and innovation, said John Haley, Swisher’s Chief Growth Officer. “The formation of the Corporate Growth Department will guide our future plans and growth goals and position us strongly for shared success with our trade partners.”
Earlier this year, Swisher announced an expansion of the company’s vision, offerings and focus on adult consumer lifestyles. As part of the strategic focus, Swisher’s five strategic businesses—Swisher Sweets Cigar Co. (large & little/filtered cigars), Fat Lip Brands (smokeless), Drew Estate (premium cigars), Hempire (hemp products) and Rogue Holdings (modern oral nicotine)—provide category expertise, product knowledge and a focused approach under a renewed purpose for the company.
John Miller
The new corporate growth department will also include a renewed focus on servicing the needs of Swisher’s trade partners with better market and in-store data insights, including packaging and merchandising solutions.
“These are exciting times for Swisher and since the beginning of 2020, our new path forward has been guided by our strategic goals, guiding principles and our purpose, mission, vision, said John Miller, Swisher’s President. “Under the leadership of John Haley and the corporate growth department, the team will support the work that has started to transform our business, reimagine how we work, and accelerate the expansion and growth of our company.”
December 17, 2020