Kevin Freudenthal takes helm as region director–Americas and president and CEO of Commonwealth–Altadis Inc.
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, the world’s fourth-largest tobacco company, has appointed Kevin Freudenthal as region director–Americas and president and CEO of Commonwealth–Altadis Inc. He will assume his new position on Jan. 30, 2012, succeeding Graham Bolt who has retired from the company.
Freudenthal brings a wealth of experience in the tobacco industry and a successful track record stretching back to 1986. Prior to joining Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, Freudenthal served as vice president for category management for Altria Group and had a long and distinguished sales and marketing career in executive positions at U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. from 1986 to 2008 when the company was acquired.
“With the recent creation of Commonwealth–Altadis Inc., we are very pleased to have seasoned and successful executive Kevin Freudenthal take the helm to unlock our potential in the U.S. market,” said Arthur Benthem, group sales director for Imperial Tobacco Group PLC. “In Kevin Freudenthal’s 26 years in tobacco, he has consistently proven himself an extraordinary leader and innovator in marketing a variety of tobacco products, overseeing large teams, optimizing business strategy, and dedicating himself to improving profitability for industry-leading companies.”
Freudenthal has been a member in industry groups and associations, including the Tobacco Outlet Advisory Group, UST Retail Advisory Group, Texas Grocers & Convenience Association, California Grocers Association, National Association of Convenience Stores and American Wholesales Marketers Association. He has also sponsored the Network of Executive Women.
Freudenthal holds an undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Marketing Executives Program. An active fitness buff, Freudenthal competes in triathlons and coaches youth sports. He and his wife are parents of four children ages 18, 16, 14, and 12 and will be relocating to Fort Lauderdale where Commonwealth–Altadis Inc. is headquartered.
