Scott Almsberger, Vice President and Director of Product Develepment and Design, August 1st – 3rd:

Scott is a University of Kansas Graduate with an Industrial Design degree. Prior to inventing the Xi cutter Scott worked in industrial design and sales for several international companies. Since he co-founded XIKAR, Scott has become an expert in the design and sourcing of all men's luxury tools, including cigar cutters, pocketknives, leather goods, humidors and lighters. He has also worked in Central America, on the development and creation two lines of cigars. Scott has continued to be involved in the Industrial Design program at the University of Kansas teaching Industrial Design and collaborating with professors, undergrads and graduates.

Rick Ardito, Drew Estate’s, August 2nd – 6th:

Ardito has been with Drew since ACID was launched back in '99, and in the early days was the road warrior preaching the gospel of drew estate to retailers and smokers across the country. Once he is sufficiently wound up, look out.... it is a roller coaster of lunacy and fun. UNDERPANTS!!!! but seriously, this guy is out of his mind passionate about cigars and will give you the most informative lecture about the effects of maduro wrapper and ligero on his, um. constitution. Don’t pass up a chance to converse with him your love of ACID NASTY or early 80's NYC punk rock.

Dylan Austin, Director of Marketing for Camacho Cigars, August 5th – 7th:

After joining the Camacho team in 2004, Mr. Austin quickly established himself as one of the industry’s most dynamic and forward thinking marketers. After many years of consulting for some of the world’s largest liquor and spirit brands, he decided to make the move to premium cigars and has added youth and feverish excitement to the Camacho brands.

“While I’ve always been known to be a traditionalist, having a hard-pushing contemporary mind constantly revamping and revitalizing has proved to be an excellent balance. This young talent is fun to watch, mainly because you can never tell what he will do next”, said Christian Eiroa with a chuckle. For more information on Camacho Cigars log on to www.camachocigars.com

Brian Berman, Director of Membership for Cigar Rights of America (CRA):

Phil Bowling, Publisher, Tobacconist / Pipes & Tobaccos magazines:

Growing up surrounded by the tobacco fields of Kentucky and family members who smoked pipes and cigars, Phil Bowling never imagined that one day he would be getting paid to smoke some of the finest tobacco products in the world and hang out with the folks responsible for those brands.

With a background in journalism and photography, Phil found himself on the doorstep of a publishing house in Raleigh, NC, in 1992. The company had acquired a trade magazine for the premium tobacco segment—and had not developed a game plan. He convinced the owner that his background as a Kentucky boy and a White Owl smoker made him the ideal candidate for the editor’s position.

Within months of taking the helm at Tobacconist magazine, the now-famous cigar boom began—and after a few single-barrel bourbons, Phil might tell you he is responsible for the cigar boom! Just humor him and all will be fine.

A few years after Tobacconist magazine established itself as the “industry source,” the magazine’s owner decided to create a consumer publication for the pipe market—and Pipes & Tobaccos magazine has faithfully served pipe hobbyists for more than a dozen years.

In the past year, Phil managed to fool the owners again, and was named publisher of both Tobacconist and Pipe & Tobaccos magazines. With nearly 17 years in the industry, Phil still feels like a kid in a candy store any time he visits a tobacco shop, or a cigar factory or tours a pipemaker’s workshop.

John and Vaughn Boyd, Deadwood Tobacco Company:

Deadwood,South Dakota. After passing the torch of their first effort to their children, Ryan and Sarah, they packed up everything they owned and made the trek to the Black Hills. After discovering a dusty, vacant storefront in a basement on Main Street, they poured their hearts and souls into the little shop that would grow to be Deadwood Tobacco Company. John's knowledge of period construction is shown in the remodeled space which is just like a walk back in time to the old west. Beautiful hardwoods and details not seen in modern construction abound throughout the quaint space. Vaughn brings her prestigious background of over 25 years in retail into the equation stocking the store with treats and treasures found nowhere else in the region. While being relatively new to the nightclub business they are certainly not novices when it comes to entertaining with many years of parties, special events and fundraising functions under their belt. No one rolls out the red carpet quite like the Boyds and they are especially proud of the lounge and are happy to be one of the founders and hosts of The Legends Ride. Join John and Vaughn as they welcome some stars of the cigar industry to the Sturgis Rally with exclusive tastings, meet and greet events as well as the opportunity to simply shake hands and share a cigar with some of the biggest names in the cigar business. www.DeadwoodTobacco.com

Jonathan Drew, Founder of Drew Estate’s, August 1st – 4th:

Drew Estate's founder is no longer the new kid on the block, and 10 plus years in he is still the revolutionary breath of fresh air in the industry and a force to be reckoned with. Wielding his mammoth new factory in Esteli, Nicaragua that brings most visitors to awe and proving to all he and his cigar co. are no one trick ponies...sure ACID is the hottest thing in the cigar universe, and his INFUSED EMPIRE is loaded with winners like Tabak Especial (An Espresso Infused Smoke) but with a string of successful traditional brands (Chateau Real, La Vieja Habana, and Liga Privada) he has proved the naysayers wrong, over and over again. This native NYer is a cigar junkie at heart with knowledge of cigars and brands that impress even the most diehard aficionado and making you believe it when he tells you he aint done yet. trust us, he aint.

Christian Eiroa of Camacho Cigars, August 2nd – 4th:

Camacho's young gun, a straight talker with a rebellious nature, leads the family's sales and marketing efforts in Miami as president of Camacho Cigars Inc. His family grows Cuban-seed tobacco in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras, where Eiroa was born, and makes Camacho, Baccarat and other cigars in a factory in Danlí called Tabacos Rancho Jamastran. Eiroa,

In 1998, Christian Eiroa moved from the production side in Honduras and became President of Camacho Cigars. Christian, at the age of 26, began to travel the country and build Camacho’s distribution. It wasn’t until 2000, and the release of the Camacho Corojo, that Christian and the Camacho brand began to become major players in the cigar industry.

Today, the flagship Camacho brand, made at Rancho Jamastran in Danli, is comprised of 9 premium and super-premium line extensions: (Super-Premium: Diploma, 10th Anniversary Corojo, Liberty Series, Triple Maduro and Select)(Premium: Corojo, Coyolar, Havana, SLR)

Along with the family of flagship Camacho products are Baccarat “The Game” (Camacho’s best-seller), La Fontana, La Fontana Consigliere, LegendArio, National Brand, The Repeater, Churchill & Robusto Deluxe, Don Felo, and Don Macho. For more information on Camacho Cigars log on to www.camachocigars.com

Jon Huber- CAO Cigars, Director of Lifestyle Marketing:

Jon Huber was born and raised in San Francisco, California. At the age of 17, he left Northern California for the warmer climate of Los Angeles where he attended the University of Southern California, first studying cinema and later transitioning to a curriculum in exercise physiology.

After working as a private trainer at the celebrity-studded Sports Club LA, he held positions in commercial real estate and entertainment business management. In December of 1994, he left Los Angeles and headed east where he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. Six months later, while visiting a local wine store, he purchased a copy of Cigar Aficionado magazine and discovered the world of premium cigars. That magazine would spark a newfound passion for cigars that would eventually compel him to make the industry his livelihood. In the winter of 1995, he wrote a letter to CAO Founder Cano A. Ozgener that would change his life for the next decade.

On April 15, 1996, Huber began his career with CAO International, Inc., as manager of the then-fledgling company's shipping department. Within six months, Huber managed to secure a weekly spot as the on-air "cigar expert"
at a local rock-format radio station, and was quickly promoted to Director of Promotions and Public Relations. He became an integral part of the development of CAO's marketing department that would become renowned for its innovative packaging, elaborate parties, and involvement with Hollywood's elite. He is also known for his non-conformist personal style and rock 'n roll appearance. In an online interview with Top25Cigar.com, he explained his personal love for tattoos by saying, "I got my first tattoo when I was probably 22 or 23.
It was something I'd always wanted to do and my philosophy is that life is short and only today is guaranteed-that's why they call it the "present." So, I live my life with no regrets and I live for today-I go after everything today, not waiting for tomorrow to happen."

Today, the CAO Director of Lifestyle Marketing lives in Nashville and is the proud father of his 7-year-old son, Liam Vaughn Huber, whom he refers to as, "the coolest kid on the planet." www.caocigars.com.

Tom Lazuka, Regional Sales Manager Camacho Cigars, August 1st -7th:

Tom was born in the Motor City (Detroit, Michigan)! Attended Wayne State University before going into restaurant business. He started in the industry working for the Colibri Group from 2002 to 2004 focusing on lighter sales. In 2004 he joined Caribe Imported Cigars also known as Camacho. Tom manages the states of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Western Pennsylvania. The best part of working for Camacho Cigars is our ability to make all types of cigars, from full to mild we do it all. I know we are considered a full bodied company but most people don’t realize that we make the Baccarat and La Fontana lines which make up a big part of our overall business. We also have the Camacho 10th anniversary which is medium body and the new Camacho Conneticut.

Jim Norman, Norman Vineyards:

A man of many talents, Jim has put his chef career on hold to take over for his father to promote Norman Wines around the country. While his sales style is totally different from Art's, his passion for the vineyards and wines are just as great. With his love of the open road. Either on his Harley or at the wheel of the NORMAN VINEYARDS tour bus .This ROCK STAR of the PASO ROBLES WINE SCENE. The stage is set for THE MONSTER ZIN TOUR 2009.

Nish Patel, Executive Vice President Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, August 1st – 4th:

In an industry built on name recognition and reputation, Nish Patel’s passion has brought his brothers brand to heights unseen by most boutique cigar manufacturers. His hard work and long hours have been paying off in big ways. With a grueling travel schedule, office responsibilities and production, Nish still maintains the enthusiasm that he has had since day one. As the Executive Vice President of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Nish is the Yin to Rocky’s Yang. www.rockypatel.com

William J Rectewald, Ashton Cigars, July 30th – August 4th :

William Rectenwald is a graduate of the University of Toledo in Creative Writing. Started in the tobacco industry in Toledo, Ohio in May of 2003 Managing The Cigar Affair. Then joining Ashton Distributing in December 2006
Covering the Upper Midwest and Great Plaines. Currently living in Red Wing Mn. www.ashtoncigars.com

Ed Trevino, CAO Cigars, Regional Sales Manager – Northwest, August 2nd – 5th:

"It was 1994 and I was handed a premium cigar. What brand, I can't even recall any longer but the experience I will never forget. It has shaped my life and become a serious passion to me." says Ed Trevino, Regional Sales Manager for CAO International.
Ed worked for the next 13 years with a major tobacconist in Northern California experiencing his passion in smoking many cigars and meeting a lot of new people. Within that time, his life has changed with a marriage and the birth of his daughter but there have always been constants for him like his ritualistic enjoyment of cigars. He celebrates everything with a cigar and will do so for as long as possible.
The last 2 years have been especially great for him, he says, as he began his career with CAO and began meeting even more new people in this great industry like Cano Ozgener himself. You will often find him either in the center of a crowd laughing and enjoying cigars or out on the road riding his motorcycle. Sometimes even enjoying both at one time!" www.caocigars.com

Michael Watman, Ashton Cigars, July 30th - August 4th:

Michael was born and raised in the Boston MA metro area where he ran The Newsshop Cigar and Tobacco Stores in the New England in the early 1990's. In 1997 he was hired by Ashton Distributors and has spent the last thirteen years working the Southern and Southwestern markets. He currently resides in Tempe AZ with his wife Mary Jane and his two daughters Mikey and Charlee Mabel.
It was 1994 and I was handed a premium cigar. What brand, I can't even recall any longer but the experience I will never forget. It has shaped my life and become a serious passion to me." says Ed Trevino, Regional Sales Manager for CAO International.
Ed worked for the next 13 years with a major tobacconist in Northern California experiencing his passion in smoking many cigars and meeting a lot of new people. Within that time, his life has changed with a marriage and the birth of his daughter but there have always been constants for him like his ritualistic enjoyment of cigars. He celebrates everything with a cigar and will do so for as long as possible.
The last 2 years have been especially great for him, he says, as he began his career with CAO and began meeting even more new people in this great industry like Cano Ozgener himself. You will often find him either in the center of a crowd laughing and enjoying cigars or out on the road riding his motorcycle. Sometimes even enjoying both at one time!" www.ashtoncigars.com

Shawna Williams-Phan, Gurkha’s Cigars, August 4th – 7th:

Shawna is Gurkha’s Warrior Princess. This California girl is kicking a$$ and smoking all along the way! She got her start in the cigar business back in 2000; this young lady knows her smokes. She’s run a Cigar Store, manages the largest territory in the United States for Gurkha Cigars, and has even created her own cigar blend.

It wouldn’t be strange to find this wild woman on a Harley; she’s never been to rally and is completely stoked! Look out Deadwood here she comes!

Fabien Ziegler, Regional Manager/National Events Coordinator Drew Estate Cigars, August 1st – August 6th:

Fabien Ziegler, Regional Manager/National Events Coordinator Drew Estate Cigars, August 1st – August 6th:

It’s been a long learning process for Fabien Ziegler since entering the cigar industry in 2001. Starting with only the basic knowledge that one end of the cigar is cut and the other is lit, Fabien has now made his way up in the ranks taking on the positions of Regional Manager and National Events Coordinator at Drew Estate Cigars. Before working at Drew Estate, Fabien was a manufacturing rep for many other cigar companies for all of California such as Beach Cigar Group, Cojimar and Xikar. Fabien had this to say about working in the cigar industry, “I have learned a lot on the job and my favorite part of this job is to meet new people and to enjoy a good cigar with good people.” The Drew Estate Cigar Company has their operations based in Esteli, Nicaragua because it is home to the most highly acclaimed tobacco in the world. The company prides themselves on offering a diverse range of some of the most exotic cigar blends. Of these, Fabien’s favorite cigar is the Natural Dirt. www.drewestate.com