The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has named Dr. Brian A. King as new Director for its Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). Dr. King takes over for Michele Mital, who had been serving as Acting Director since Dr. Mitch Zeller retired earlier this year. In a statement on Twitter, Dr. Robert Califf FDA Commissioner, comments, […]
Earlier this month, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) opened up voting for its Board of Directors. The PCA Board of Directors consists of 14 retail members and five Associate Members. The PCA holds elections each year to fill open board seats for directors whose terms have been completed. This year, there are three open Retail […]
The Cigar Association of America (CAA) has named Mudi Kpohraror as the new State Government Relations Director. Kpohraror will report to Vice President Chris Newbry. In a statement CAA President David Ozgo said “Mudi will continue to enable and advance how we advocate on behalf of our member companies to ensure that they have an active […]
Rick Rodriguez’s retirement has lasted ten days. Today Rodriguez confirmed a story on his social media pages published by Cigar Aficionado that he is returning to the cigar industry. Rodriguez, the former CAO Blender and Brand Ambassador, will be teaming up with Gus Martinez, also formerly of General Cigar Company, to launch West Tampa Tobacco Company. […]
Eddie Tarazona, owner and founder of Tarazona Cigars, has announced his candidacy for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Florida’s 18th district. Tarazona has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and is planning on running under the Republican Party. The Florida State primary is set for August 23, 2022. The […]
Gran Habano has announced Ryan Bathurst as its Northeast Territory Manager. Bathurst will be responsible for representing Gran Habano for retailers throughout the New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania region. Bathurst has ten years experience in luxury sales retail at Davidoff of Geneva, Nat Sherman International, and Cigarz on the […]
Kris Kachaturian, the long-time partner of AJ Fernandez, has passed away. Kachaturian was partners with Fernandez until the end of 2015. At that time, Kachaturian would depart the company and the premium handmade cigar business. During his time at AJ Fernandez Cigar Company, the company moved more toward growing in the brick & mortar space. […]
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has announced that Rick Rodriguez, blender/ambassador of CAO, will be retiring from the company on April 29, 2022. Rodriguez joined General Cigar in January 2000 as a sales representative in Florida. In 2005, he was selected by the late Edgar Cullman, Sr., to participate in a rigorous cigar master training program […]
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has announced an expansion and restructuring of its marketing department. This has been triggered by growth in the brand’s portfolio, which STG said grew more than 20%. The brands under STG include Macanudo, Cohiba, CAO, Punch, Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, Hoyo de Monterrey, Diesel, Punch, and others. Distribution for the brands […]
Alec Bradley Cigar Company has announced the promotion of Ryan Ponist to Business Development Manager. Ponist has been with Alec Bradley since March 2015 and served as the Rust Belt Regional Territory Manager for the company. “Ryan is an integral part of the Alec Bradley family,” commented Alec Bradley owner Alan Rubin in a press […]
