CAO chairman exits

Gary Hyams has left his post as chairman of CAO Cigars, the Nashville success story whose operations were moved to Virginia last fall after a multinational merger. His departure comes two months after President Tom Ozgener made the same move. Other execs also have left the company.
Feb 1, 2011 7:46 AM
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CAO HQ move prompts president's exit

Tim Ozgener, president of CAO, has left the premium cigar marketer after its parent decided to relocate its main office to Richmond, Va., a month after it merged with another company. Ozgener's exit comes four years after he took over the president's spot from his father, Cano Ozgener, who had founded the company in 1968. Ozgener said he's leaving CAO so he can stay in Nashville. CAO's parent, Scandinavian Tobacco Group has decided to combine the company's headquarters with that of its sister company, General Cigar Co. Scandinavian Tobacco last month merged with Swedish Match AB to create a $900 million company.
"I'm pretty well established in Nashville," said Ozgener. "My family is here, my wife's family—I'm not willing to uproot my family. Nashville has been a great city for karma, for me and my family."
Nov 12, 2010 2:49 PM
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CAO president: 'The best actors listen and respond'

Tim Ozgener talks to Cigar Aficionado about his business' growth from its pipe roots, its place in the global market and its drive to innovate.
It's like eating barbecue—great barbecue isn't just smoky. It has smoke but it also has sweetness. With cigars, if it's strong but doesn't have that sweetness, it's not satisfying. I tell all of our leaf suppliers—anything that's interesting, bring it and let's try it.
Dec 29, 2008 5:04 PM