"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," said [image-nocss] Janelle Rosenfeld, spokesperson for the cigar maker.
She added, "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."
Folz said, "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 Oct. 1, 2009, by Gary Ellis, currently chief financial officer, who has been with the company for more than 20 years.
Altadis U.S.A., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a leading cigar maker that generates more than half of its parent Altadis S.A.'s worldwide cigar sales. Altadis U.S.A. manufactures and markets both premium and mass-market cigars under such well-known brand names as Don Diego, El Producto, H. Upmann and Montecristo.
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