Javier Estades Saez, President and CEO of Tabacalera USA Inc. has once again been elected as Chairman of the Cigar Association of America (CAA). Estades previously served as Chairman from 2016 to 2020.

Last year Estades stepped down as Chairman of the CAA and was succeeded by Swisher CEO John Miller. This past month, it was announced that Miller was retiring from Swisher, thus creating a vacancy for the Chairman position at CAA. Miller was succeeded by Neil Kiely.

“Javier Estades has always just been one of those people who gets it,” said Cigar Association of America President Craig Williamson in a press release. “When he stepped down as Chairman, I said that we would miss his leadership, affable demeanor, and steady hand, and now I am thrilled to welcome Javier back as our Chairman once again.”

Williamson added, “Challenges remain ahead for our industry, but with Javier’s leadership and our continued commitment to speaking as one voice for the cigar and pipe tobacco industry, I know we will navigate the days, months, and years ahead successfully.”

“It was an honor to serve as Chairman of CAA and I am excited to once again join my partners in industry to lead this century-old association,” said Estades. “We continue to face a perfect storm of regulatory intervention, increasing tax burdens, and evolving industry trends. We will have to join together to preserve our industry for future generations.”

Estades will begin serving a three-year term as Chairman.

Photo Credit: Cigar Association of America