RICHMOND, Va. -- Sherwin Seltzer will retire from General Cigar at the end of October, concluding a run of more than half a century in the premium cigar category.
"There comes a time when you have to stop and do something else. I’ve had a great run in this business but at this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to Iris, my wife of 51 years, and my children and grandchildren," Seltzer said in a release. He will continue to serve as General Cigar’s vice president of trade development until October 31.
Dan Carr, president of General Cigar remarks, "Sherwin is one of those people you meet in life and never forget. He has a great sense of humor and always makes people feel at ease. Because of this, he made great contributions to General Cigar, particularly in developing relationships with our trade partners and in acting as a mentor to people in all areas of the business."
Sherwin began his career in the industry in 1956, working for Brown Williamson, a cigarette company, before joining Faber, Coe and Gregg, best known for importing Cuban cigars to the U.S. After a stint in California, during which time he launched Faber’s national products division, Sherwin returned to New York in 1978 to work for Joel Sherman of Nat Sherman & Company.
In 1980, Sherwin joined Villazon & Company, maker of Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey and Excalibur cigars, and was quickly promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. When General Cigar acquired Villazon in 1996.
General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market, including Macanudo, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, CAO, Partagas, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and other premium brands.
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