The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a new Commissioner in Dr. Scott Gottlieb. Today Gottlieb was confirmed by the United States Senate in a vote of 57 -42. Gottlieb, a physician and former Deputy Commissioner at the FDA was nominated by President Donald Trump back in March. Late last month, he was approved […]
Last week came word of the hiring of Sean Williams as the Brand Ambassador for one of General Cigar Company’s most prestigious brands, Cohiba. The news came as a big surprise to many in the cigar industry, but to this author, it’s clear it’s part of a bigger story at General – one of change. It is a change that continues to evolve, but […]
General Cigar Company has named Sean Williams a brand ambassador for Cohiba. Williams is best known as the owner and founder of Primer Mundo Cigar Company. “We have brought Sean on board as part of the continued expansion of our experiential platforms,” said General Cigar President Régis Broersma in a press release. “Our focus is […]
Mombacho Cigars S.A. has announced today that Mo Maali has been named the company’s National Sales Manager. “I’m thrilled to have Mo on board. His experience in the cigar industry will bring strength to the Mombacho Cigars organization and his extreme passion for our brands is endless. Mo has the knowledge and personality to guide […]
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the nominee by President Trump for U.S. Food and Drug Administraton (FDA) Commissioner was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee by a vote of 14-9. Gottlieb’s nomination now heads to a full vote in the United States Senate. Gottlieb’s nomination has been hailed by the premium cigar industry. He […]
Duran Cigars’ National Sales Manager Miguel Schoedel has announced he has left the company. Schoedel is now heading to Crowned Heads where he will also assume the title of National Sales Manager. Schoedel made a name for himself at CAO Cigars. He then moved to Toraño Family Cigars and was named National Sales Manager late in 2012. […]
Tabacalera USA has named Rob Maneson its Chief Executive Officer for its JR Cigar unit effective immediately. Maneson succeeds Rob Norris, who was named to General Manager of Tabacalera USA’s Altadis USA division back in February. In his new role Maneson will be based in Whippany, New Jersey and will report to Javier Estades, the head […]
Friday March 24th was a very sad day for the entire cigar industry as Avo Uvezian, the beloved man behind the Avo Cigars’ brand passed away at age 91. As word came out about Avo’s death came tributes from the cigar industry, cigar enthusiasts sharing their own personal recollections of Avo, and many breaking out their […]
Last December, I penned an article entitled “The Myth of Rudy Giuliani Saving the Cigar Industry“. In my 6 1/2 years of owning and operating Cigar Coop, it easily was the most controversial article I wrote. Shortly after the 2016 Presidential Election, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was being anointed by some as “the […]
Avo Uvezian was a man who bridged his accomplished musical career into a successful cigar career. Uvezian passed away at home in Orlando, Florida this morning, two days after his 91st birthday. Uvezian was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1926. His parents were both musicians and it didn’t take long for Uvezian to develop his […]
