More shakeup at CAO
 

Now the president, Tim Ozgener is leaving CAO. Will post press release soon...

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Release:

TIM OZGENER DEPARTS PREMIUM CIGAR BUSINESS

Richmond, VA—General Cigar announces that CAO President Tim Ozgener has decided to pursue personal business interests in his hometown of Nashville, TN, thus moving on from his 16-year career in the premium cigar business.

Ozgener, son of company founder Cano A Ozgener, joined the original family business in 1994 and has since been instrumental in building one of the most renowned and respected brands in the premium cigar category.

Dan Carr, president of General Cigar said, “We remain committed to CAO and are grateful to Tim for his contributions, not only to the brand but also for sharing his knowledge with the people who will continue his legacy. While we will miss Tim’s insight and passion, we respect his choice and wish him well.”

Gary Hyams, chairman of CAO International commented, “It has been a privilege to work with Tim over the last three and a half years and to have had the opportunity to share in his passion for CAO. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”

Ozgener commented, “It is with a heavy heart that I leave CAO. I look back at my 16-year career with the company with great pride and I will miss the friendships that I have made over the years in the premium cigar industry. I am confident that the team at General Cigar will carry the CAO brand to new heights and I wish them the utmost continued success.”

Tim Ozgener was named president of CAO in 2006. He is largely credited with bringing innovative packaging, new flavor profiles and unique marketing concepts to the brand which has continued to thrive since the company’s inception during the cigar boom.

About Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Scandinavian Tobacco Group which purchased CAO in 2007 has recently completed a global merger with Swedish Match AB, combining all the tobacco business of Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S with the cigars and pipe tobacco business of Swedish Match AB (with the exception of its US mass market cigars). This new company, which has retained the name Scandinavian Tobacco Group, is now the second largest cigar company in the world, holding more than 30% of the U.S. premium cigar market and producing more than 2.5 billion cigars and 1,650 tons of pipe tobacco annually at the Group’s factories in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Central America. For more information, visit www.st-group.com.

About General Cigar
General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba®, La Gloria Cubana®, Punch®, CAO®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.

® Macanudo, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, CAO, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.

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Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Wow! I wonder if him and Sam Leccia will team up?

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Wow that's nuts whats going on with people leaving lately?

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Something interesting to me is the wording: "Tim Ozgener has decided to pursue personal business interests in his hometown of Nashville, TN, thus moving on from his 16-year career in the premium cigar business"

Sounds like he's leaving cigars altogether, which I find very hard to believe...

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Funny Dan...I had the same thought. :r :r

CAO MX3 meets the Cain Maduro Toro = CM57 :noon :noon

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

:r:r:r

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

interesting
thanks for the info

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

No... leaving the premium business would be consistent with teaming up with Sam. :D Just messing with the word play here so dont get all worked up Sam fans. :noon

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

if him and sam team up they could create some great cigars.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I'm wondering, with the merger with General, if there's some retirement bonuses being offered to reduce duplication of personnel?

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I'm greatful I got to meet him while he was still working for them. He's a great guy and I'm sure he has great things in store for the future!

Who knows maybe he's going to finally pursue that career as a comedian!!

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

"Scandinavian Tobacco Group which purchased CAO in 2007..."

If the Ozgeners already sold the company, then he probably doesn't need the job, lol. Furthermore, It's probably hard to be as passionate about a company once you no longer own it.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Wow, 16 years with CAO. It only took me 2 weeks to get tired of CAOs ;s

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

One does grow out of them rather quickly :D

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

haha, I gotta agree with you there. I haven't bought one in years.

It seems like he did for CAO what Steve Jobs did for Apple; put an average product in a stylish and attractive package. Step 2: collect profit. No matter what you think of the cigars themselves, I don't think anyone can argue that he's not a successful business person.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

I wonder what its going to do to the cigars Not that I don't careabout the people but I smoke and enjoy the cigars.

Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

This is very saddening to hear. The CAO Gold was my first real intro into fine cigars. :(
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Re: More shakeup at CAO
 

Yeah no kidding lol..:D