Plasencia Cigars has announced that Edward (Ed) Bello will become the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective April 1, 2025. Bello will succeed Jim Young, who is currently the company’s CEO. A transition period will occur for three months, during which Young will continue to support Bello and the organization as an advisor and as a Board Member.
Bello has a long career in the Beverage Alcohol industry, including nearly 15 years with Diageo, where Young spent many years of his career. Before that, Ed spent 13 years with one of the world’s most prominent FMCG companies, Procter & Gamble. Most recently, Ed was the CMO of Catalyst Spirits, LLC, a start-up brand incubator. Before that, he led the Luxury Spirits business unit in North America for Diageo, following senior roles in the company’s global marketing efforts in the whiskey and vodka segments, including managing the iconic Bulleit and Ketel One brands.
“I am delighted to join Plasencia Cigars and am excited to help the company fulfill the amazing future that the Plasencia brand clearly possesses. I am humbled that the Plasencia family place their trust in me to lead this effort and the amazing team already in place. I look forward to working closely with the family, with Jim and with the team to fulfill the promise that the Plasencia brand clearly holds,” commented Bello in a press release.
Nestor Andres Plasencia added: “We are extremely excited to welcome Ed to the Plasencia business as CEO. Our family and partners have enormous confidence that he is the perfect fit to head our efforts to develop and grow our beloved brand to fulfill its potential and keep lighting up souls. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim for stepping in as CEO when he did and for his ongoing commitment to Plasencia.”
