Tuesday, July 14 2009
Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- Altadis U.S.A. announced today that Theo Folz, the company's President and CEO, will be retiring on September 30, 2009. He joined the company twenty-five years ago and has been in the industry 46 years.
With such legendary company brands as Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Dutch Masters, Phillies
and Backwoods to name just a few, Folz has lead Altadis U.S.A. to a premier position in the cigar business with unprecedented sales and earnings levels. Highly respected and regarded through out the entire tobacco industry, he is known as an icon.
Folz has made a huge contribution in making Altadis U.S.A.'s cigar business the force that it is today. He has been a dominant figure in the history of the U.S. and indeed the worldwide cigar industry. Theo and his wife, Connie, look forward to global travel, fine food and wine and enjoying their sport fishing boat. Folz says, "It has been an honor to be a part of such a vibrant and historic industry."
He will be succeeded as President and CEO on October 1, 2009 by Gary Ellis, currently CFO, who has been with the company for over 20 years.
