MOORPARK, Calif. -- Kretek International Inc. recently made two sales appointments. The company has named Eric Heiberg as Northeast region sales director and Steve Lucas as central region sales director.
Heiberg will report to Kretek field sales vice president Russ Mancuso, and he will be responsible for business development and retail growth of Kretek brands through its distributor and broker networks.
Kretek's redrawn Northeast region will extend across New England, New York, New Jersey and Delaware, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
"Eric brings a wealth of contacts and experience to Kretek in tobacco products and e-cigarettes. We are pleased that he agreed to come on board," said Mancuso.
Heiberg's responsibilities include Kretek's regional sales team and brand development in all retail channels, most recently driven by the e-vapor category, along with Kretek's long-time position in other tobacco products (OTP).
His prior experience includes regional sales management positions at Gamucci, Commonwealth Brands, Fleming Cos. and American Tobacco Co.
Lucas will also report to Mancuso, and he will be responsible for business development and retail growth of Kretek brands through its distributor and broker networks in his region.
"Kretek has a dynamic brand portfolio and a 30 year history in specialty tobacco products," Mancuso said. "Steve's focus and experience in cigars and e-cigarettes will be a great fit." Steve joins Kretek in a key regional position managing sales in the Midwest from Minnesota and Michigan south to Texas and Oklahoma.
His prior experience includes regional sales management positions at Robert Burton Associates, Commonwealth Brands and Imperial Tobacco Group. Most recently, he headed U. S. sales for London-based electronic-cigarette maker Gamucci Ltd.
Moorpark, Colo.-based Kretek is a privately held importing and marketing company with business concentrated in the specialty tobacco, OTP and e-vapor categories. Kretek is the exclusive importer and marketer of EZ Cig, Voodoo and Cig2o e-vapor products including e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers and e-liquids, as well as Djarum and Cuban Rounds imported cigars, DjEEP disposable lighters and a full range of handmade premium imported cigars, pipe tobaccos and smoking accessories. More recently, Kretek has begun distributing VirMax, the original male enhancement brand of products.