RICHMOND, Va., March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- George C. Freeman, III, Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV)
("Universal" or the "Company"), announced today that the Company's
Board of Directors has elected Airton L.
Hentschke as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, effective April 1, 2015,
replacing current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, W. Keith Brewer. Mr.
Brewer's planned retirement as of March 31,
2015 was previously reported July
9, 2014.
Mr. Hentschke has more than 24 years of experience in leaf
operations with Universal, and has served since 2013 as Executive
Vice President of Universal Leaf Tobacco Company,
Incorporated. In this role, he supports Universal's global
tobacco operations. Prior to that time, Mr. Hentschke served
as Regional Director for the Company's operations in South America, and President of Universal Leaf
Tabacos Limitada in Brazil, where
he began his employment in 1991.
Mr. Brewer has over 38 years of experience with Universal and
has led the Company's global tobacco operations since 2006.
Prior to that time, he served as the President of Universal Leaf
North America U.S., Inc. He has been employed with the
Company since 1977.
Mr. Freeman noted, "We thank Keith for his countless
contributions and his many years of loyal, dedicated service.
We wish him the very best of health and happiness in his
retirement. He leaves behind a strong and well-prepared team
that includes Airton
Hentschke. Airton brings a wealth of operational
expertise to this role, and we are pleased that he will continue
the strong leadership that he has demonstrated in South America and more recently here in
Richmond, as the next Chief
Operating Officer. In addition, Airton's appointment
continues Universal's emphasis on having exceptional leaders with a
depth of industry experience in our key operational roles."
Headquartered in Richmond,
Virginia, Universal Corporation is the leading global leaf
tobacco supplier and conducts business in more than 30
countries. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2014, were $2.5 billion. For more information on Universal
Corporation, visit its website at www.universalcorp.com.
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SOURCE Universal Corporation