Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, the Communist party revolutionary and dictator who seized power in Cuba in 1959, implementing a totalitarian regime and nationalizing business and industry has died. He was 90 years old. Castro’s death was announced in Cuba by Castro’s brother and current President of Cuba, Raul Castro just after midnight EDT. In addition to […]
Cigar News: PDR Cigars USA Adds Two Regional Sales Managers and New Inside Sales Rep.
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments News, PDR Cigars, People
PDR Cigars has hired two new regional sales managers as well as a new inside sales person. The company has named Charles Royal its new Southeast Regional Sales Manager and Jesus Pachuca Jr. as its Texas Regional Sales Manager. In addition the company announced Ricardo Sanchez as its new Inside Sales Rep. Based in the Atlanta […]
Cigar News: Mombacho Cigars SA Names Robert Rasmussen Brand Manager
William Cooper Cigar News 3 Comments Mombacho, News, People, Tierra Volcan
Mombacho Cigars SA, the Granada Nicaragua-based cigar company has named Robert Rasmussen Brand Manager. The move is effective as of November 1st, 2016. “We are extremely excited to have Rob on board. His enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the cigar industry will add a new pace to the Mombacho vision and strategy. He embraces […]
Cigar News: Dan Carr Named President of ITG Brands
William Cooper Cigar News 2 Comments Imperial Tobacco Group, ITG Brands, News, People
Dan Carr, best known for his tenure at General Cigar Company as its President is returning to the tobacco industry. Today, ITG Brands, a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco Group named Carr its new President. ITG Brands LLC is a U.S. subsidiary that technically is the third largest tobacco company in the U.S. It focuses on […]
Cigar News: José Blanco Named Senior Vice President at E.P. Carrillo
William Cooper Cigar News 2 Comments E.P. Carrillo, EPC, Las Cumbres, News, People
Jose Blanco is set to join E.P. Carrillo as its new Senior Vice President of Sales effective November 1st 2016. First news of this story was reported by Cigar Aficionado, and confirmed to Cigar Coop through Blanco’s wife Emma Viktorsson. Blanco’s responsibilities will focus around building E.P, Carrillo’s sales force. However, Blanco is known as one […]
Cigar News: Omar de Frias Leaves NASA; Will Focus Full Time on Fratello
William Cooper Cigar News 3 Comments Fratello Cigars, News, People
When Omar de Frias launched Fratello Cigars, it originally started out as a side gig to his “day job” at NASA. As Fratello has grown, de Frias has balanced the two gigs. However, that balancing act is about to change as today de Frias announced that after ten years, he is departing NASA to […]
Cigar News: Gabriel Alvarez Named Director of Sales with Casa Cuevas Cigars
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Casa Cuevas, News, People
It didn’t take long, but Gabriel Alvarez is back in the cigar industry. Earlier today, Alvarez announced that he has accepted the position of Director of Sales of Casa Cuevas Cigars. Alvarez will be doing what he has done very well in the past – launching a new brand into the U.S. market. Casa Cuevas […]
Feature Story: A Look Back at the Michael Giannini Era At General Cigar
William Cooper Feature Story No Comments Feature Story, Foundry, General, La Gloria Cubana, People
On September 22, 2016, it was confirmed that Michael Giannini, Creative Director and Director of Innovation had departed General Cigar Company. Over the past decade, Giannini one can make the argument that Giannini became the face of General Cigar. Giannini brought a dynamic, flamboyant, and unconventional approach to the cigar business. Whether you agreed or disagreed with […]
Cigar News: Gabriel Alvarez Departs Maya Selva Cigars
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Maya Selva Cigars, News, People
Gabriel Alvarez, the U.S. Director of Sales of Maya Selva Cigars has announced he has resigned from the company. In a statement released by Maya Selva Cigars: “Today we say best wishes and thank you to our Director of Sales Gabriel Alvarez, who is moving on from Maya Selva Cigars. We appreciate the valuable contributions […]
Cigar News: British Cigar Journalist Nic Wing Passes Away
William Cooper Cigar News 5 Comments News, People
Nic Wing, a fixture on the cigar scene of the United Kingdom who was widely respected on a worldwide basis has passed away. Wing’s passing was reported by multiple industry sources. He had been battling cancer for the past several months. Wing is most recently known as the the proprietor and editor of the UK […]