GREENSBORO, N.C.— ITG Brands, the third-largest U.S. tobacco maker, has named Oliver Kutz as its new president and CEO, replacing Dan Carr, who left the company to pursue other interests, the company said.
Kutz comes to Greensboro, N.C.-based ITG with 20 years of experience with parent company Imperial Brands, Bristol, United Kingdom, and reports directly to Dominic Brisby, Imperial Brands division director for the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia (AAAA). Kutz was previously general manager of the Russia-AAAA Division. Kutz joined Imperial in 1999 and has since undertaken a number of international senior leadership roles, the company said.
“Oliver Kutz brings a wealth of international experience in tobacco and next-generation products to ITG Brands,” said Brisby. “This will further drive our performance and build on our strong capabilities and world-class brands.”
Kutz’s predecessor, Carr, became president and CEO of ITG brands less than two years ago, replacing David Taylor who retired in January 2018.
The company also announced that Kim Reed has joined the company as its executive vice president of sales. Reed has almost 30 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry. She will report directly to Kutz. Reed was previously with The Kellogg Co., where she was general manager of U.S. sales. She has held key leadership positions at Kellogg, which she joined in 2006, and the Pepsi Bottling Group.
ITG Brands is the third-largest tobacco company in the United States and offers a portfolio of cigarette, cigar and electronic cigarette brands, including Winston, Kool, Salem, Maverick and USA Gold cigarettes; Dutch Masters, Backwoods and Phillies cigars; and blu eCigs electronic cigarettes.
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