Smokeless Tobacco Company UST Appoints CEO as Chairman

Source from:  2nd November 2007 drinks-business-review.com By Staff Writer 11/05/2007

UST, which markets smokeless tobacco products and wine, has elected Murray Kessler to the additional role of chairman, effective January 1, 2008. Mr Kessler became president and CEO of UST on January 1, 2007. He has been a member of the company's board of directors since 2005 and serves as chairman of the strategic review committee. In November 2005, he was named COO of UST. He also served as president of US Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) from April 2000 until November 2005. Additionally, the company has announced the retirement of Vincent Gierer, Jr. the non-executive chairman of the UST board of directors, effective December 31, 2007. Murray Kessler, president and CEO of UST, said: "We're very grateful for Vince Gierer's many years of service to UST and wish him well in his retirement. I'm especially appreciative for his contribution to our company's board of directors within the last year as we successfully completed this period of transition." Enditem