Why did you run for election to the board, and what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure?
Lissette Pérez-Carrillo
E.P. Carrillo
Miami, Florida
“I feel I can offer the PCA board a unique blend of legal knowledge and firsthand industry experience, providing insights into its regulatory environment and the craft of cigar making and commerce. I aim to leverage my unique mix of legal and entrepreneurial expertise to advocate for and advance the interests of our industry. My goal is to uphold the traditions and quality of the cigar industry while navigating it through the evolving legal and business landscapes, ensuring the PCA remains a dynamic, influential, and effective voice for all members of the cigar community.”
Todd Johnson
The Cigar Shop
Monroe, North Carolina
“During the past three years, I served in my first term on the board, and I was, and continue to be, amazed at the hard work and dedication to our industry for each member of our board. The strides we have made in such a short period of time would not have occurred otherwise. Promoting and, even more importantly, defending our industry continue to be front-and-center goals for my second term. I want to continue to be a part of this team and help the premium cigar and pipe industry thrive well into the future.”
Jay Davis
Blue Smoke of Dallas
Dallas, Texas
“I ran for the board again because many of the initiatives we began planning in 2021 are incomplete. We want the PCA to become a full service organization for its members that provides resources, benefits and answers to purveyors of specialty tobacco, including education and training around products, the sales process, building and running small businesses and interfacing with FDA and our local government officials.
“Also, the PCA needs to be viewed as an advocacy organization and product hub 365 days a year, not just a trade show organization. This will occur as we build out the aforementioned goals above and develop other levers to generate income outside of the trade show. PCA must continue to develop and provide comprehensive support for its members and affiliates and advocate for the preservation of specialty tobacco retailing. This goal must continue to be developed in 2024 and beyond as we work to make this vision into something more concrete to help us continue to grow in the future. “
*Mike Gold of Arango Cigar Company was also named to the board and was highlighted in a previous issue of PCA The Magazine.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 2, 2024. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.