STG Expands Forged Cigar Company and General Cigar Company

Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) announces today that the company has expanded its Forged Cigar Company and General Cigar Company field sales organizations to include new senior leadership positions and new sales territories to provide stronger customer service and support its growing brand portfolio.

Gene Richter, Vice President of Sales for STG North America said, ”As we integrate the Alec Bradley cigar brands and continue to grow STG’s handmade cigar portfolio, we are taking proactive steps to ensure we are well-positioned to support our brands now and into the future. With a larger team and increased coverage, we will be better equipped to serve the demands of our valued retail partners.”

The Forged Cigar Company sales organization has been expanded to include two new leadership roles and five new selling territories. Michael Serota, former head of sales for Alec Bradley, will assume his new role as Forged Cigar Company’s South Region Sales Manager. He will oversee six sales representatives including two new hires, and report to Sean Hardiman, National Sales Manager of Field Sales. Michael had been with Alec Bradley for twelve years during which time he developed strong relationships with the trade and advanced his career through roles of increased responsibility in the company’s sales organization. Among those reporting to Michael are Jeremy Lemke and Jedidiah Jocelyn, high-performing sales professionals who joined Forged Cigar Company from the Alec Bradley cigar business and have been appointed to Account Representative roles. Jeremy is a cigar industry veteran who began working in the category in 2008. He has spent six years in premium cigars, the last two of which were in a sales role with Alec Bradley. He will oversee the state of Illinois for Forged Cigar Company. Jedidiah is a rising star who spent two years developing relationships in the handmade cigar category while a member of the Alec Bradley sales team. He will call on accounts in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tenneessee.

John Troiano, a former sales representative of Alec Bradley has been recruited to join Forged Cigar Company as an Account Representative in a newly-established Upstate New York territory. John has a long tenure in the business, having spent 18 years at a premium cigar brand before moving to Alec Bradley five years ago. He is joined by fellow Alec Bradley sales team alumnus Ryan Ponist who also comes to the Forged Cigar Company from Alec Bradley. Ryan spent the past eight years in field sales for Alec Bradley and in his new role as Account Representative for Forged Cigar Company will oversee Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Both John and Ryan will report to Sean Hardiman.

To deliver increased support on the General Cigar Company portfolio, STG has appointed David Mealey to a new role of National Sales Manager, Field Sales, reporting to Gene Richter. David joined STG in 2021 from Nat Sherman and has consistently demonstrated strong leadership skills, with an ability to deepen relationships with the trade.

Additionally, two former Alec Bradley sales team members, John Vinaccia and Jarid Casebolt have recently accepted positions as Premium Sales Managers with the General Cigar Field Sales Team in the Western Region, reporting to Michael Radecki, West Region Sales Manager. John spent three years with Alec Bradley and the two years prior with another premium brand before joining General Cigar where he is focused on the Southern California market. Jarid worked for Alec Bradley on the inside sales support team for two years before joining General Cigar. His sales territory includes Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.