Jay Kloepfer brings additional multi-channel experience to company’s growth and category expansion.

Kretek International Inc., exclusive importer and marketer of Djarum and Cuban Rounds Cigar brands, Voodoo and EZ-Cig e-vapor products, DjEEP lighters, Nuvino Wines, and VirMax performance products, has named Jay Kloepfer as central region sales director.

Kloepfer joins Kretek from Tantus Tobacco and succeeds newly promoted Kretek National Director of Field Sales Steve Lucas in the region manager position. He will be responsible for business development and retail growth of Kretek brands from the Canadian border to Texas and Oklahoma, working with Kretek distributors and broker networks in the region.

“Kretek’s ongoing growth in new retail sectors of tobacco and e-vapor products, as well as ventures in wine and general merchandise categories will be enhanced by Jay’s experience and team leadership,”said Lucas.

Kloepfer will oversee the efforts of a recently expanded team of Key Account Managers along with the coordinated efforts of CROSSMARK and JMK sales brokerages. In addition to Tantus Tobacco, Kloepfer’s prior experience includes sales management positions at Robert Burton Associates and Commonwealth brands. He is a graduate of Cincinnati State College and lives in historic Fishers Indiana north of Indianapolis.