Tobacconists Complete Certification Program

More than 40 professional tobacconists from across the country have qualified to become Certified Retail Tobacconists by Tobacconist University, the official curriculum resource of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

Those receiving their CRT accreditation include:

Delaware
Joseph McDonough and Gary A. Griffith of Cigarette City, Inc. in Newark, Delaware;

Georgia
Jim Luftman and Michael J. Cain of Blue Havana II in Alpharetta, Georgia and Allan Buelvas of Smoking Joe’s Cigar Company in Marietta, Georgia;

Illinois
Peter J. Worth of Kaw Kaw’s Cigar Society and Ron Carroll of Iwan Ries & Co, both in Chicago, Illinois;

Maryland
John J. Vanore of Titan Cigar in Gambrills, Maryland; 

Missouri
Kevin L. Baxter, Tim Claytor, Dirick Matteson, Bradley Oldham, and C. Scott Powell with Outlaw Cigar Co in Kansas City, Missouri;

New Jersey
Jorge Armenteros was named Certified Master Tobacconist and the designation of Certified Retail Tobacconist went to Aly A. Badran, Jeffrey A. Davis, R. Sloane Franklin, John T. Richardson and William P. Harvey. All are with A Little Taste of Cuba in Princeton, New Jersey.

Ohio
James C. Wilson of Sandusky Bay Cigars in Sandusky, Ohio;

Pennsylvania
Lee S. Lavinson of Holt’s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Jonathan Rebmann of Puffs N Stuff in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Kathryn L. Bellando, Nathaniel Chase, Christian R. Fernandez, Dennis E. Guevara and Charles Stockton with A Little Taste of Cuba in New Hope, Pennsylvania;

Texas
Jimmy Edwards and Jose R. Torres, Jr of C.I.G.A.R. in San Antonio, Texas;

Virginia
Kevin Edmiston with Winston’s Humidor in Richmond, Virginia;

Washington, D.C.
Jordan Baines, Andrew Chase, Edward W. Guehm III, Walter Gorski, Yoon Robert Kim, Adam K. Levy, Michael F. Nolan, R. Adam Shepherd, and Zeke M. Williams with Georgetown Tobacco in Washington, D.C.

Selected professional tobacconists are awarded CMT or CRT recognition after participating in an academic curriculum and testing process that enables them to achieve superior technical and marketing knowledge about premium cigars, pipes, loose tobacco and related accessories.

ABOUT TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY

Tobacconist University is an independent teaching and research organization dedicated to preserving the traditions and enhancing the knowledge and skills of retailers and consumers who appreciate luxury tobacco and adhere to a high code of industry ethics and standards.

www.tobacconistuniversity.org

ABOUT IPCPR

The IPCPR is an association principally comprised of more than 2,000 owners and employees of small, family-owned cigar stores and businesses primarily engaged in the sales, marketing and distribution of premium cigars, pipes, loose tobacco and related items.

www.ipcpr.org

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