Swisher International Looks Toward 'Record Growth' With Internal Moves

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Building on a its recent growth, Swisher International Inc. hopes to notch another record year and has taken several internal steps to move toward that goal.

The tobacco company promoted three sales executives, with all three changes taking effect Oct. 1:

• Dean Simmons, field vice president of National Accounts, will become Swisher's new vice president of Sales; a position previously held by Bill Dunn.
• Joe Curoe, vice president of the West, will take his new role as field vice president of National Accounts; and director of National Accounts - Midwest
• Shane Miller will take on the role of vice president of the West.

"Our national sales organization and the people who have consistently made it so successful over the years have been the foundation of Swisher's record growth," said Swisher CEO Peter Ghiloni. "Dean, Joe, Shane, together with Victor Blanco, [vice president] of the East and Bill Dunn, [vice president] Industry Relations have all made important contributions to Swisher over the years, and I am confident that under their guidance, we will achieve another record-breaking year."

Simmons has held more than seven different positions of increasing responsibility within the sales organization throughout his 24-year career. He has built a solid foundation and strategic relationships with customers such as McLane Co. Inc., 7- Eleven Inc., Eby-Brown, and HT Hackney Co.

"Dean is an outstanding individual who for years, has successfully managed Swisher's top accounts and the talented management team that supports them," said John Miller, senior vice president of Sales Marketing. "Dean's energy, expertise and passion for working with people positions him well for his new role leading the sales organization."

Added Simmons: "I am thrilled to take the lead with this world-class sales organization and look forward to immediately engaging with the team and our valued customers."

Throughout his 18 years of experience, Curoe has grown the sales organization in the West, and through his strategic planning and leadership, he has consistently developed strategic sales plans and delivered on their success, according to Swisher.

While serving as vice president of the West, Curoe reorganized the sales hierarchy, and created forecasting templates for the zone and regions.

Miller has held progressively more strategic positions since joining Swisher in 2000 as a territory manager, and has been recognized throughout his tenure with awards including Region Manager of the Year, NAM of the Year, and Zone Manager of the Year.

Swisher International manufactures cigars, filtered cigars and smokeless tobacco brands including Swisher Sweets, King Edward, Optimo, BlackStone, Pom-Pom, and Santa Fe cigars; Mail Pouch, Chattanooga Chew, Staff, Bowie and Lancaster chewing tobaccos; Silver Creek, Kayak and Redwood moist snuff and Navy and Railroad Mills dry snuff; as well as Kismet, Casino Gold HRS, and Nirvana Cameroon Selection Premium Cigars thru its Royal Gold Premium Cigars division.

Swisher International is headquartered in Jacksonville and also has manufacturing facilities in Wheeling, W. Va. and Santiago, Dominican Republic.