Drew Estate has promoted Ike Karipides to Senior Vice President (SVP) of Sales. Karipides succeeds David Lazarus, who retired from Drew Estate last month after spending seven years in the role. Karpides will report to Drew Estate CEO Glenn Wolfson.

Karipides joined Drew Estate in January 2018 as Director of the Specialty Retail channel. Karipides then took responsibility for Online Retail. Most recently, he served as Vice President Direct, responsible for the company’s Specialty Retail, Online Retail, and Liquor Chain sales channels. ​In his new role as SVP, Karipides will oversee the company’s wholesale sales channel and the Trade Marketing and Business Intelligence departments.

“Ike has amassed deep expertise in various facets of the premium cigar industry during his 28-year career. ​ He is a consummate professional who is highly respected by colleagues, competitors, customers, and consumers throughout our industry. ​​ Ike’s strategic acumen, operational excellence, and change management capabilities will enable him to lead our sales organization to even greater heights, as Drew Estate continues to evolve and grow over the years to come,” said Wolfson in a press release.

“Ike is unique. ​His industry leadership, knowledge of the premium cigar business, and passion for Drew Estate culture results in explosive talent, contributing tremendously throughout our organization in a relatively short tenure,” added Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate. ​ “It’s an honor to work with the man, who I also consider a dear friend.”

Karpides started on the retail side of the premium cigar business, working at Cousin’s Cigars and Barclay-Rex in Cleveland and Manhattan, respectively. ​ Subsequently, he learned the wholesale/distribution side of the industry at House of Oxford Distributors and began his field sales journey at Miami Cigar & Company. Before Drew Estate, Karipides worked at Nat Sherman International as Executive Director of Premium Cigar Sales.

Photo Credit: Drew Estate