Jose Seijas, a name long associated  the famous Tabacalera de Garcia factory, and Altadis USA has announce is leaving Altadis effective immediately.  This is according to a story recently published on Cigar Aficionado.com.

The report goes on to say that this is a retirement.  Seijas served as Vice President and General Manager of Tabacalera de Garcia.   He is being replaced in that role by Javier Elmudesi.  This follows the retirement of Jim Collucci, executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing – which occurred last summer.

Seijas was known as “El Hefe” at Tabacalera de Garcia which is the world’s largest individual cigar factory.  The factory is located in La Romana, Dominican Republic.  This factory has become the core of Altadis’ production for the United States.  Many credit Seijas with making Dominican-made cigars a staple in the American marketplace.

Famous brands that have come out of that factory include Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H.Upmann, Trinidad, and VegaFina.  Seijas has been involved with putting his name on cigars including the Jose Seijas Signature Series, Mi Dominicana and most recently the VegaFina Jose Seijas 2011.  Seijas has been associated with this factory since 1974.

For all practical purposes, this is the first major industry name to move on in 2012. No word if Seijas has any future plans.   If there are any new developments, we will be sure to post.