West Tampa Tobacco Co. leans heavy on its past with General Cigars/STG. The owners and founders are Gus Martinez and Rick Rodriguez, both former long-time General Cigars employees. International Sales are handled by an STG veteran, Stijn Elbersen and now West Tampa Tobacco hired former General Cigars sales manager Rami Dakko as the new director of North American sales.

“To support our explosive growth in the U.S. and around the world we knew we needed to build a team of high energy, passionate people,” said Rodriguez. “Rami checks all the boxes we have built West Tampa upon, Trust, Respect and Friendship. Rami has been someone that I have been proud to call a friend as well as someone whom I respect immensely. I have no doubt that Rami will take West Tampa to the next level in the U.S.”