Neil Kiely is the President and CEO of Swisher, the largest volume-producing cigar manufacture in the United States, a position he’s held since 2021. Neil is responsible for leading the strategic growth, transformation and diversification of a robust portfolio of products for adult consumers in a variety of categories. With over 35 years of experience growing and transforming CPG companies, he has rapidly set the strategic framework for Swisher’s transformation into new categories, emerging channels, and Ecommerce space. Before joining Swisher, he was the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Birra Peroni (Peroni Brewery) residing in Rome, Italy.
Chris Casey
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL
Chris Casey is Swisher’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and is responsible for managing the company’s legal affairs. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, Chris provides legal counsel to the Swisher Board of Directors, President and CEO and CFO on critical business decisions. Chris also serves as Corporate Secretary for Swisher, and oversees the Legal Department, supervising legal employees, and managing relationships with outside counsel. Collaborating on a dotted-line basis with colleagues at affiliated entities, Chris ensures a unified approach to legal, regulatory, and risk management issues across the organization. Chris’s duties also include supervising the company’s Regulatory Compliance and Research Development departments, ensuring cross-functional collaboration while addressing regulatory compliance matters.
CHRIS HOWARD
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS & NEW PRODUCT COMPLIANCE
Chris Howard is Executive Vice President, External Affairs and New Product Compliance at Swisher. As head of External Affairs, Howard rapidly revitalized Swisher external affairs efforts to place Swisher at the advocacy forefront for the cigar and modern oral nicotine industry categories. He and his team also provide advocacy for Swisher’s sister companies, Drew Estate and E-Alternative Solutions (EAS), and lead Swisher’s community engagement efforts. He is currently a board member of key industry trade organizations, including the Cigar Association of America and the National Association of Tobacco Outlets. In his compliance role, Chris oversees regulatory affairs for all new products marketed by Swisher and its sister company, EAS, including modern oral nicotine, vapor, CBD, and energy products. Under his leadership, the New Product Compliance team engages in all levels of regulatory compliance activity with state regulators and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
CRAIG NEELY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING
Craig Neely serves as Swisher’s EVP of Marketing. He oversees the company’s brand marketing, marketing operations, research, and digital marketing/e-commerce teams to strengthen Swisher’s market position and deliver strategic priorities. Prior to joining Swisher, Craig was the Global Vice President of Innovation for Mars Pet Nutrition. In this role, he led core and breakthrough innovation programs across all portfolios and markets, providing strategic leadership for well-known brands such as PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, IAMS, and GREENIES. Craig also served as Chief Marketing Officer for North America, where he created a mix of advertising, customer marketing and brand building programs leading to some of Mars' most effective and memorable campaigns.
DAVE LAUTENSCHLAEGER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & IT
Dave Lautenschlaeger serves as Swisher’s Executive Vice President of Finance & IT. In this role, Dave is responsible for managing Swisher’s financial goals and planning processes, providing reliable and timely reporting, managing, and communicating financial and business risks, partnering with the business leaders to drive growth plans, and creating value to enhance Swisher’s assets. Dave also provides oversight of our Information Technology assets and programs, with a keen focus on aligning financial strategies with technological advancements.
Rob Moore brings more than 25 years of North American and international leadership experience in end-to-end supply chain and manufacturing operations within the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) sector. He has a proven track record of developing and executing supply chain strategies, driving organizational transformation, elevating operational capabilities, and delivering sustainable performance across complex global environments.
MICHAEL RADY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES
Michael Rady serves as Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Michael is responsible for all aspects of HR strategy, including talent acquisition and development, organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, corporate communications, and HR operations. His guidance and leadership plan an essential role in shaping the future of Swisher's workforce and supporting the ongoing growth and innovation. Before joining Swisher, Michael served as Chief Human Resources Officer at United Parks and Resorts, the parent company of SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and other prominent destinations as well as 17 years with PepsiCo in various HR roles in the field and at their headquarters.
