President & Treasurer
Gary Pesh
Owner, Old Virginia Tobacco Company
Over 40 years in the tobacco business and an active CRA board member since 2009.
CRA Leadership
CRA Officers and Directors
Cigar Rights of America is guided by respected leaders from across the premium cigar community who volunteer their time, expertise, and support to defend cigar freedom.
★ The Board
Leaders from across the premium cigar community.
CRA's Board of Directors brings together some of the most respected figures in the premium cigar industry. Serving in a volunteer capacity, these leaders help guide CRA's mission to protect the rights of adult cigar consumers, retailers, and manufacturers.
★ Officers
CRA Officers
The volunteer officers who lead CRA's board and steward its mission on behalf of the premium cigar community.
Vice President
Cory Bappert
CEO, Oliva Cigar Company
Over 16 years in the cigar industry; CEO of Oliva Cigars, a leading global premium manufacturer.
Secretary
Drew Newman
Owner, J.C. Newman Cigar Company
Fourth-generation leader of J.C. Newman Cigar Company, America's oldest family-owned premium cigar manufacturer.
Chairman Emeritus & Founding Member of CRA (non-voting)
Robert Levin
Owner, Ashton Distributors
A 50-year career in the cigar industry spanning retail and wholesale; President of Holt's Cigar Holdings.
★ Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Directors from across manufacturing, retail, and distribution who help set CRA's advocacy agenda.
Carlito Fuente
Owner, A. Fuente Cigars
Third-generation cigar artisan and Chairman of A. Fuente & Company; co-founder of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.
Pete Johnson
Owner, Tatuaje Cigars Inc | Havana Cellars
Founder of the Tatuaje brand, launched in 2003 in collaboration with Jose "Pepin" Garcia.
Jorge Padrón
Owner, Padrón Cigar Company
Leader of Padrón Cigars, carrying forward a family legacy of tobacco cultivation and cigar craftsmanship.
Sathya Levin
CEO, ASHTON Distributors
Second-generation leader of Ashton Cigars alongside his father, Robert Levin.
Rocky Patel
Owner, Rocky Patel Cigars
Founder of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, known for his dedication to perfection in the category.
Tony Gomez
La Flor Dominicana
Newest addition to the CRA board, bringing lifelong experience with La Flor Dominicana.
★ Directors Emeriti
Directors Emeriti
CRA also recognizes the legacy of leaders whose early vision and service helped shape the organization and the broader fight for premium cigar freedom.
President (Former) of Arturo Fuente Cigars and Founding Manufacturer Member of CRA
Carlos Fuente, Sr.(1935–2016)
Built Fuente from a Ybor City home operation into an international premium cigar powerhouse.
President and Founder, Corona Cigar Co. & Florida Sungrown, LLC and Founding Retailer Member of CRA
Jeff Borysiewicz
Co-founder of CRA and its chairman from 2008 to 2014; founder and CEO of Corona Cigar Company.
Founding Manufacturer Member of CRA
Keith Park
Founder and CEO of Prometheus International and God of Fire Cigars
Founder of Prometheus and co-founder of CRA; helped launch the God of Fire cigar line with Carlito Fuente.
★ Leadership Across the Premium Cigar Community
A coalition of manufacturers, retailers, and founding advocates.
CRA's leadership spans every corner of the premium cigar community — from family-owned manufacturers and independent retailers to distributors, advocates, and the founding members who first organized the fight.
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Distribution
- Advocacy
- Founding Leadership
★ Stand With CRA
Stand with the leaders defending premium cigars.
CRA's work is powered by members, retailers, manufacturers, and advocates who believe premium cigars deserve a strong voice.