Category: People

Kaival Brands Promotes Hopkins to CEO, President

A former Altria executive has been promoted to CEO and resident of Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. The company announced that it has expanded the role of Executive Chairman Barry Hopkins to include the additional positions.
Former CEO and president, Eric Mosser, has been appointed CEO and president of Kaival Brands International, a Kaival Brands Innovations Group’s subsidiary with an international licensing relationship with Philip Morris Products S.A., a wholly owned affiliate of Philip Morris International Inc.
Niraj Patel, founder and chief science officer of Kaival Brands, said that from the beginning he has envisioned a diverse platform that could “capture the tailwinds” generated by the company’s core offering, the BIDI Stick electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) product.
“Barry understands this vision, the importance of regulatory compliance and youth access prevention, and has done an exceptional job since joining Kaival Brands. He has eagerly taken on increasing levels of responsibility, leveraging his decades of experience in management in our industry,” said Patel in a press release. “His appointment as Interim CEO and president was a natural progression, and we look forward to potentially expanding our excellent management team further during 2024 with a permanent CEO and/or president as our needs dictate.
“Having Barry in this position now is particularly important since we are at a significant inflection point, as we remain hopeful that FDA will soon complete its review of the pending premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) for the tobacco-flavored BIDI Stick Classic. If we receive a marketing granted order for this product, we will have significant momentum in the new year with the ability to continue to transition adult cigarette smokers, drive revenue and grow our company.”
According to a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement, the agency’s next status report regarding its review of the still-pending PMTAs for major brands and market share leading ENDS products is due to be filed by January 22, 2024 with the U.S. District Court in Maryland.
Although FDA has not indicated publicly which PMTAs it is prioritizing for review, Kaival Brands is hopeful that the BIDI Stick Classic will be included in the January status report. The company also anticipates the PMTAs for the other 10 BIDI-branded SKUs will remain in scientific review, according to Patel.
Recently, the Kaival Brands has been encouraged by the coordinated efforts of the FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other government agencies to increase their coordinated focus on enforcement. The company believes it has been hurt by illicit vaping products flooding the market, and it is now preparing to scale along with other legal products, assuming increased enforcement continues alongside the January announcement by the FDA.
“Hopkins will spearhead the company under the direction of the Board of Directors with a continued focus on accelerating revenue growth, improving operational efficiencies and executing Kaival Brands’ strategic growth and diversification initiatives, while remaining in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
“The company, alongside BIDI Vapor (the maker of the BIDI Stick), is also continuing to focus on working with Philip Morris to accelerate the international distribution of ENDS products using BIDI technology (which Philip Morris markets under the brand name ‘VEEV Now’), as part of Philip Morris’s plan to deliver a smoke-free future.”
December 29, 2023
Blinc Group Taps Sahani to Replace CEO Dumas de Rauly

Arnaud Dumas de Rauly / Credit: The Blinc Group
The Blinc Group, a cannabis vaporizer industry innovator, announced that Pete Sahani, who has been serving as the company’s COO since 2022, has been named CEO. Sahani is replacing vaping industry legend Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, co-founder and current CEO.
Dumas de Rauly will be stepping down from that role to embark on a new strategic direction within the company as chief experience and science officer (CXSO) and will retain his position on the Blic Group board. This transition will become effective as of Dec. 1, 2023.
Dumas de Rauly has been at the helm of The Blinc Group since 2018, guiding the company through substantial growth phases and establishing it as a key player in the cannabis vaping space, according to a press release.
Pete Sahani
“Arnaud has been a visionary leader, under whose guidance Blinc has established itself as a major player in the cannabis vaping space, and has always done so while keeping a strong focus on consumer safety,” said co-founder and chief innovations officer Sasha Aksenov. “His strategic foresight has been invaluable, and we are certain that he will continue to play a pivotal role in Blinc’s future.”
As CXSO, Dumas de Rauly will drive Blinc’s growth through strategic partnerships and innovation. He will focus on integrating analytical science and consumer safety with superior customer experiences, ensuring Blinc paves the way in both technology and user satisfaction.
Sahani brings a wealth of experience to his new role as CEO, having been instrumental in a number of key initiatives at Blinc since joining the company as COO in April 2022.
“Pete has been a pivotal figure in our leadership team, playing a significant role in not only steering us to positive EBITDA and Net Income but also in the introduction of innovative services like Scale Now Pay Later (SNPL) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI),” commented Arnaud Dumas de Rauly. “With his exceptional skill in operational management and strategic planning, I am confident that Pete is the ideal leader to propel Blinc into a future marked by sustained profitability and expanded service offerings.”
Pete Sahani expressed his enthusiasm about the new role, “It’s an honor to step into the CEO role at The Blinc Group. I am excited to build upon the strong foundation laid by Arnaud and our team by leading the company towards new heights of innovation and market leadership.”
The leadership transition is part of The Blinc Group’s ongoing strategy to adapt and thrive in the dynamic cannabis industry. The company remains committed to its mission of delivering high-quality, innovative vaporizer solutions and complimentary services while expanding its global footprint.
November 29, 2023
PMI Names Parman as U.S. Communications Officer

Photo: PMI
Philip Morris International has appointed Travis Parman as vice president and chief communications officer of the U.S.
“We are thrilled that Travis is joining us in our bold ambition to deliver a smoke-free future in the United States. We’re on a mission to replace cigarettes—the most harmful form of nicotine consumption—as soon as possible with science-based smoke-free alternatives that are a better choice than continued cigarette use,” said Stacey Kennedy, president of the Americas region and CEO of PMI’s U.S. business, in a statement. “With his passion for positive change and deep communications experience in the U.S. and internationally, Travis will be a valuable addition to our leadership team.”
Parman joins PMI from AppHarvest, a tech-driven sustainable food company based in Kentucky, where he served as chief communications officer since 2020. He previously held multiple roles with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance in Paris; Nashville; and Yokohama, Japan—most recently as vice president of international communications and global engagement.
Prior to his work with the alliance, he held public relations and communications leadership roles at General Motors, Ally Financial and PulteGroup. Parman holds a master’s degree in communications management from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee.
“Joining PMI at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey toward a smoke-free future provides the perfect opportunity to drive meaningful change, which has been a hallmark throughout my career as a communicator,” said Parman.
November 27, 2023
Kaival Appoints Hopkins as Executive Chairman

Image: Monster-Ztudio
Kaival Brands Innovations Group has expanded the role of Barry Hopkins, chairman of the board, to the new position of executive chairman. In this role, Hopkins will serve as Kaival Brands’ principal executive officer. Current President and CEO Eric Mosser will continue to manage day-to-day operations of the company.
Hopkins joined Kaival Brands as chairman of the board in March 2023. He is a 40-year tobacco industry veteran with deep operational experience and industry contacts. With his expanded responsibilities, Hopkins will play a more active role in the strategic direction and oversight of the company, with a focus on accelerating revenue growth, improving operational efficiencies and executing on Kaival Brands’ strategic initiatives.
“Since I joined Kaival Brands in March, I have become even more energized by the opportunities for our company and look forward to working with Eric and our excellent senior leadership team to refine our strategic business plan and reignite growth,” said Hopkins in a statement. “I aim to foster a culture of performance and accountability and to establish clear decision-making processes and strong communication, which are essential for moving our promising business forward.”
Hopkins spent most of his decades-long career primarily in senior sales and marketing roles for Turning Point Brands and Altria.
November 14, 2023
Organigram Holdings Searching for Next CFO

Credit: Tasha Tuvango
Derrick West will transition away from his role as chief financial officer at Organigram Holdings to focus on recovery following surgery later this month.
Paolo De Luca, current chief strategy officer, has been appointed interim CFO while the company completes a search for a new permanent CFO. De Luca previously served as the company’s CFO between 2017 and 2020.
“Derrick has left a legacy of stabilizing our financial processes along with the implementation of our ERP and has supported the company through a period of high growth including the acquisitions of our Winnipeg and Lac-Supérieur facilities,” said Organigram CEO Beena Goldenberg in a statement. “We are grateful for his contributions during his time on the board beginning in 2017 and since becoming CFO in 2020 and we wish him well.”
Organigram Holdings is the parent company of Organigram, a licensed producer of cannabis, cannabis-derived products and cannabis infused edibles in Canada.
Recently British American Tobacco increased its equity position in Organigram from 19 percent to 45 percent.
November 13, 2023
Clifford Douglas to lead Smoke-Free Foundation

Photo: FSFW
The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World has named Clifford E. Douglas as president and CEO. Douglas most recently served as director of the University of Michigan Tobacco Research Network and as adjunct professor in the department of health management and policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Prior to that he was the American Cancer Society vice president for tobacco control. Early in his career Douglas worked to eliminate smoking on airline flights and was an attorney and advisor in landmark lawsuits against tobacco manufacturers.
Douglas has also managed a $6 million campaign to eliminate smoking on college campuses, and worked to help Americans understand the relationship between smoking and Covid-19. Douglas has served as the assistant director of the Coalition on Smoking and Health; he was also the associate director of the American Lung Association national public affairs office and has been the tobacco control advisor to the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and the U.S. Surgeon General.
“For decades Cliff Douglas has been a strong and influential voice in the work to eliminate smoking in America and globally,” said Pam Parizek, chair of the Foundation board of directors, in a statement. “He understands both the science and societal elements of tobacco issues. His credentials are exceptional, and we are pleased he will lead our foundation effort to fund meaningful research and engage in evidence-based education efforts that help those at greatest risk stop smoking.”
The Foundation is a nonprofit, independent grantmaking organization, dedicated to ending the illness and death caused by smoking.
Douglas believes the Foundation is uniquely positioned to reduce smoking globally, “Our mission is to help end smoking in this generation,” he said. “I have committed myself to this mission for 35 years and look forward to leading this organization in innovative and impactful efforts to accelerate reductions in smoking prevalence and improve public understanding regarding the nature and health impact of nicotine, and as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has highlighted, the continuum of risk among different tobacco and nicotine products. We will continue to be a strong and independent voice in helping people around the world find healthier lifestyles.”
“Our mission is to help end smoking in this generation. I have committed myself to this mission for 35 years and look forward to leading this organization in innovative and impactful efforts to accelerate reductions in smoking prevalence.
Clifford Douglas, CEO, FSFW
“The Foundation is about to enter a new era under the leadership of Cliff Douglas,” said Parizek. “We certainly are appreciative of those who have previously supported our work, and going forward the Foundation remains fully committed to our smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction efforts around the world.”
Philip Morris International recently made a final grant to the Foundation and the pledge agreement between Philip Morris and the Foundation has been concluded. “Moving forward the Foundation will seek to collaborate with associations and institutions to accelerate our investments in life saving research projects based on the most up to date science,” said Parizek.
October 13, 2023
Bill Morachnick to Serve as CEO at Charlotte’s Web

Image: Tobacco Reporter archive
Charlotte’s Web Holdings appointed William (Bill) Morachnick as CEO. Morachnick has also been appointed to the company’s board of directors as a nonindependent director. He replaces CEO Jacques Tortoroli, who has elected to resign from his roles at Charlotte’s Web.
Morachnick has a record of building premium, differentiated products and brands across multiple channels throughout the world and across a broad range of product categories.
Prior to joining Charlotte’s Web, Morachnick was president at Santa Fe Reynolds Tobacco International Zurich (SFRTI) from 2006 to 2016. He took SFRTI from a startup to a highly profitable organization, managing several hundred employees and a network of importers/distributors operating in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. SFRTI was acquired by Japan Tobacco Group in 2016 for $5 billion. Morachnick led the subsequent integration of the combined companies as CEO and chairman based in Tokyo, Japan, for two years before returning to the U.S. in 2018.
Since returning to the U.S., he has served as an executive advisor or board member for several companies seeking to launch and/or expand their businesses in the U.S. and overseas markets.
“Bill has an accomplished career building businesses in multiple categories,” said John Held, chairman of Charlotte’s Web. “With his proven operational expertise, Bill is well suited to take the reins to lead the Charlotte’s Web team through the next phase of the company’s growth opportunities.”
The company expressed its gratitude to Tortoroli for his contributions. ‎“Jacques served on the company’s board since November of 2019 and as CEO since late 2021 in a difficult environment devoid of regulatory oversight and clarity,” said Held. “Under his leadership as CEO, Jacques streamlined the organization, reduced the cash burn and recapitalized the company through a strategic $57 million investment from BAT via a convertible loan.”
In November 2022, BAT announced a £48.2 million ($57.4 million) investment in Charlotte’s Web.
September 13, 2023
Kaival Brands Promotes Stephen Sheriff to COO

Photo: akub Jirsák | Dreamstime.com
Kaival Brands Innovations Group has promoted Stephen Sheriff to chief operating officer.
Sheriff succeeds Eric Mosser, who was recently promoted to CEO, and joins Mosser and recently appointed Chief Financial Officer Thomas Metzler as a part of Kaival Brands’ expanded senior management team.
“Promoting Stephen to the role of chief operating officer was a natural and logical next step given his contributions to the success of Kaival Brands to date and his experience helping businesses navigate through rapid periods of growth and change,” said Mosser in a statement. “He has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and will be instrumental in helping us take our business to the next level. With a deep understanding of our operations, the capital markets and what it takes to develop and execute a strategy with proven results, he is a great addition to our C-suite leadership team.”
Sheriff brings more than a decade of finance and entrepreneurial leadership to his new role. Most recently, he served as the director of administration and communications at Kaival Brands. In this role, he managed the company’s investor and public relations and human resource programs in addition to overall responsibility for the development and implementation of key programs and initiatives, including customer and vendor relations.
Prior to Kaival Brands, Sheriff co-founded Riverhill Group, a capital markets advisory and consulting firm.
August 30, 2023
China-Based Ispire Appoints New CEO and CFO

Ispire Technology has appointed Michael Wang as its co-chief executive officer. Wang previously served as chief financial officer. Concurrently, Daniel J. Machock was appointed as the new chief financial officer.
Wang has assumed the role of co-chief executive officer alongside Tuanfang Liu. This strengthened leadership structure is designed to refine Ispire’s strategic direction and spearhead the company’s future growth. Ispire’s decision to elevate Wang stems from his record in strategic and financial leadership.
“Having been deeply involved with Ispire’s progress, I look forward to partnering with Tuanfang to further the company’s growth and expansion,” said Wang in a statement. “Together, we share a mutual vision of global development and pioneering innovation within the company.”
With extensive 25-year experience in financial strategy, including at Appetize Technologies and Chrome River Technologies, Ispire expects Machock to bolster its financial footing.
“I am honored to take on the role of CFO at Ispire,” said Machock. “Eager to harness my financial expertise, I deeply value the company’s unwavering dedication to innovation in the cannabis vaping arena and am committed to contributing to its continued success.”
August 14, 2023
Kaival Brands Group Changes Top-Level Leadership

Credit: Mia B
Kaival Brands Innovations Group, parent to Bidi Vapor, today announced the promotion of Eric Mosser, its current president and chief operating officer, to the position of CEO. Mosser brings over a decade of senior leadership experience, including since 2020 at Kaival Brands. Mosser will retain the position of president, according to a press release.
The company also also appointed Thomas J. Metzler as the company’s chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer and secretary, effective as of August 1, 2023, replacing Mark Thoenes, who has served as Interim CFO since 2021.
Metzler brings over 20 years of finance and operational experience in the vaping and consumer products sector, previously serving as managing director of a division of Turning Point Brands.
At Turning Point Brands, Metzler led a team to transform the process of financial management efficiencies, which improved cost controls, managed inventory turn, developed strategic product promotions to accelerate product distribution, and built strategic alliances with suppliers.
“We are very excited to have Tom join our senior management team and believe his hiring represents a key building block for the future of Kaival Brands, said Mosser. “Tom brings to us a wealth of experience and knowledge across all of the key elements of the CFO’s office including treasury, finance, and accounting.
“He also has tremendous knowledge of business operations in our industry and will therefore greatly contribute to the crafting and implementation of our growth plans. On behalf of our board of directors, we welcome Tom and give thanks to Mark Thoenes for his excellent work as our interim CFO the past few years.”

August 6, 2023