Altria Group, Inc. announced a new structure to maximize its core tobacco businesses while realizing its aspiration to be the U.S. leader in authorized, non-combustible, reduced-risk products. Key components of this new structure include: Establishment of two divisions – core tobacco and innovative tobacco products; Creation of a Chief Growth Officer function to accelerate speed to market for innovative products and technologies; and Aligning product development efforts more directly to the core and innovative tobacco product businesses. Altria will adapt its structure from a Chief Operating Officer who oversees all operating companies to a structure aligned with the company's dual strategies – maximizing income from core tobacco businesses and growing new income with innovative tobacco products.

Jody Begley, as Senior Vice President, Tobacco Products, Altria, will oversee the core tobacco businesses, as well as their product development and engineering support. He will report to Billy Gifford, Vice Chairman and CFO. Leading those businesses will be: Heather Newman, President and CEO, PM USA; Shannon Leistra, President and CEO, USSTC; Ryan Bauersachs, Managing Director and General Manager, Middleton; Dominik Meier, Managing Director and General Manager, Nat Sherman. Jody has been President and General Manager of Nu Mark since 2015. He brings to this role 23 years of experience in sales, marketing and strategy from PM USA, USSTC and Nu Mark, as well as leadership positions in Altria Group Distribution Company and Strategy & Business Development. Brian Quigley, as President and CEO, Nu Mark, will oversee the innovative products business, reporting to Howard Willard. Brian has been President and CEO, USSTC since 2012. He joined PM USA in 2003 and has served in brand management leadership roles in PM USA and USSTC. Altria has established a Chief Growth Officer function which will identify and pursue Altria's strategic and innovative growth priorities across the tobacco landscape. This function will identify marketplace and adult tobacco consumer insights and translate them into strategies for product development, consumer engagement, future of commerce and business development. This group will also be responsible for innovative product development and enhancing the company's capabilities by building and acquiring the competencies, technologies and talent to achieve Altria's aspiration of being the U.S. leader in authorized, non-combustible, reduced-risk products. These changes will be effective June 1, 2018.