Bill Spann, the CEO of the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Association today informed his Board of Directors that he is resigning his position. His resignation will take place effective September 21st, 2013. The announcement was made via a press release by the IPCPR.
Spann cited family reasons for the change, most notably that the position kept him away from his family the past two years. He also had an employment opportunity in his new home town of Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
In the press release Spann said, “My staff and many of our members know that I have been apart from my family each week since I took this position in July 2011. We fully intended to move
to Columbus, but unfortunately the town’s size did not afford my spouse the career opportunities she required. I have great respect for our dedicated Board of Directors, our Associate Member Advisory Board, and our loyal and dedicated retail members and staff, but after more than two years of nearly constant family separation, the time is right to move on.”
In a statement by IPCPR Board President Finnie Helmuth, “We are grateful for Bill’s efforts on behalf of the premium cigar and pipe industry. His dedication to the industry, successful trade shows, new legislative staff in Washington, D. C. all speak to his stewardship of IPCPR. We wish him and his family a bright future.”
It was at the 2011 IPCPR Trade Show where the appointment of Spann as CEO of the IPCPR was announced. Spann came to IPCPR with a strong political background. Prior to joining IPCPR he served as chief of staff of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Prior to that he served as president and chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida. He also served as part of Governor Jeb Bush’s executive leadership team first as communications director and then chief of staff at the Florida Department of Children & Families. He also served a 20 year career in the U.S. Navy achieving the rank of Commander.
No announcement has been made on the next steps for a search for a successor to Spann.
