Universal Leaf Tobacco promotes Brewer to Virginia

Source from:  By Tom Murphy Rocky Mount Telegram Saturday, June 03, 2006 06/06/2006

W. Keith Brewer has been promoted to executive vice president of Universal Leaf Tobacco Co. Inc. Clayton "Clay" G. Frazier has been promoted to president of Universal Leaf North America U.S. Inc., the company's domestic subsidiary in Rocky Mount, and will fill Brewer's previous position. Frazier and his wife, Billie, who is a second-grade teacher in the Wake County public school system, have two sons, Gill, 17, a rising senior at Northern Vance High School in Henderson, and Tate, 13, a rising eighth-grade student at Kerr-Vance Academy. "I plan to relocate Aug. 1 to Rocky Mount," Frazier said. "My family will join me upon graduation of our oldest son. "My family and I look very much forward to being part of the community. We are civic minded and look forward to making a contribution for many years to come." Brewer had been president of Universal Leaf North America U.S. Inc. In his new role with Universal, Brewer will lead the company's global tobacco processing operations. He will be based at Universal's corporate headquarters in Richmond, Va. Frazier is a graduate of Vance Senior High School, located in Henderson, and attended East Carolina University in Greenville and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Frazier began his career with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. in 1985 as a leaf buyer trainee. He joined Universal in 1987 as a buyer and was promoted to leaf manager in 1993 and maintained that role until 1998, when he joined Philip Morris as a leaf manager. Frazier rejoined the company in 2000 as vice president-area leaf manager of Universal Leaf North America U.S. Inc. In 2004, he was named senior vice president - responsible for procurement, leaf utilization and agronomy functions, the position he held until earlier this year. Frazier will be responsible for the company's North American operations, which include the United States, Canada, Guatemala and Mexico. Enditem