Altria CEO Howard Willard has stepped down after nearly 30 years with the company. He is currently recovering from Covid-19.
Billy Gifford, chief financial officer, will assume the CEO position permanently. Gifford was standing in as interim CEO while Willard was out on medical leave.
Altria is separating the roles of CEO and chairman; Thomas Farrell, the board’s former independent presiding director, has been appointed chairman.
Salvatore Mancuso, Altria’s finance and procurement vice president, has been appointed as chief financial officer to replace Gifford.